The extreme price increases imposed by sports streaming service DAZN in 2021 and 2022 were likely unlawful, according to the Higher Regional Court in Hamm, Germany.
The court indicated as much during an oral hearing on Friday on a class-action lawsuit filed by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv). A ruling is set to be announced on November 18.
Over the next three weeks, affected DAZN customers can still register a claim to file for refunds. DAZN has declined to comment following the hearing.
According to vzbv, DAZN raised its prices in 2021 and 2022 for existing contracts without the customers' consent. Among other things, the monthly price for existing customers was increased from €14.99 ($17.41) to €29.99 in mid-2022.
Consumer advocates argue that the price increase clauses in the contracts were non-transparent and therefore invalid. In a preliminary assessment, the judges of the Higher Regional Court concurred with this view.
In a parallel case, also brought by the vzbv, the Munich Higher Regional Court also declared the price adjustment clause invalid. The court found that the clause was too vague, and consumers were therefore unable to verify the legitimacy of the price increase.
The case is currently pending before the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe.
DAZN is based in London. In Germany, the streaming service holds broadcasting rights for the Champions League, selected Bundesliga matches and selected NFL games, among other things.