Netflix legal question / class-action lawsuit

[D3ATHS1NBUNCH3S]

I am a former subscriber of Netflix. I only did Netflix for the one month free trial, and I canceled my subscription after that.

I got an email today (Title was: Video Privacy Lawsuit, you should've seen my face) that talked about a settlement in a case that accuses Netflix of disclosing records of the TV shows watched by it's customers, which is in violation of a few laws.

It says on the website explaining the lawsuit that I can do one of three actions in this case:

Do Nothing: You will give up your right to sue the defendant about the claims made in this lawsuit.

Exclude Yourself: This is the only option that allows you to be a part of any other lawsuit against the Defendant about the claims in this case.

Object to the Settlement: Write to the Court about why you don't like the settlement.

However, the Email from Netflix explains it like this:

If you do nothing, you will remain in the settlement and your rights will be affected. If you do not want to be included, you must exclude yourself by November 14, 2012. If you exclude yourself you will keep your right to sue Netflix about the claims in this lawsuit. If you remain in the settlement, you can object to it by November 14, 2012.

Now, as a sixteen year old still in high school, the last thing I want to do is get my parents involved in a lawsuit they have no part of. Should I do nothing or exclude myself?

 

[Pupik]

Basically, it's a standard class-action lawsuit. They happen quite frequently in America...for example, I just got one last week which will reimburse me about $8 for renting a car in California in 2007, because I wasn't made aware of some $1/day fee, which I had a right to refuse, apply towards a future rental, or just receive a check (if that ever arrives). TicketMaster has one recently, roughly a year ago; same sort of deal.

(One would figure that companies might finally do away with the concept of tacked-on fees die to all this nonsense, but no...truth in advertising is actually a myth wrapped in a fairly tale...but that's a discussion for another forum.)

In any case, since you didn't pay anything for the one-month service, it's really unlikely you would ever be required to show up to court, nor get anything in return (unless it's a token sum...see above). My best unprofessional legal advice is: Basically, since you are a minor, you should give it to your parents to determine what they want to do about it. Which they would probably do nothing, by default of the terms.

An example of the reason one might refuse joining a class-action lawsuit, is where there might be a conflict of interest between the two parties (example, you work for the firm which collected that data and you were a Netflix subscriber). Or if you're opposed to this lawsuit for personal reasons.

 

[D3ATHS1NBUNCH3S]

Basically, it's a standard class-action lawsuit. They happen quite frequently in America...for example, I just got one last week which will reimburse me about $8 for renting a car in California in 2007, because I wasn't made aware of some $1/day fee, which I had a right to refuse, apply towards a future rental, or just receive a check (if that ever arrives). TicketMaster has one recently, roughly a year ago; same sort of deal.

In any case, since you didn't pay anything for the one-month service, it's really unlikely you would ever be required to show up to court, nor get anything in return (unless it's a token sum...see above). My best unprofessional legal advice is: Basically, since you are a minor, you should give it to your parents to determine what they want to do about it. Which they would probably do nothing, by default of the terms.

An example of the reason one might refuse joining a class-action lawsuit, is where there might be a conflict of interest between the two parties (example, you work for the firm which collected that data and you were a Netflix subscriber). Or if you're opposed to this lawsuit for personal reasons.

Thanks for the tips, but what would happen if I did nothing? Would I get a letter or something? Would I still be involved in the case?

 

[Pupik]

Again, allow your parents to read through it. I wouldn't worry much, though.

The settlement fund will be used to make donations to not-for-profit organizations. Class members will not receive payments.

You get nothing, good day sir.

 

[D3ATHS1NBUNCH3S]

Ok, so nothing will be changed if I do nothing, correct?

 

[TheDabbinDave]

The attorneys make out like bandits. While the class usually gets crumbs, if that.

I am looking forward to the lawsuit against Sony for the YLOD that killed millions of PS3's. 3 of ours died!

Samsung was sued because they used very cheap capacitors that caused LCD displays made in 2008-2009 to fail. Samsung either reimbursed those who paid out of picket for the repair or had the unit fixed despite being out of warranty. They repaired our 46" panel king after the warranty expired.

Where Netflix screwed up was hiking rates by 60%!!!!!