Trouble in Russia for Netflix. A group of subscribers has decided to sue the online platform by launching a real class action against the queen of streaming. The reason? After the start of the war in Ukraine, Netflix – which is an American company – decided to suspend the activity in the territory of the Federation, leaving Russian subscribers without movies and TV series. The news was released by Russian Information Agency, which in turn cites the Moscow law firm Chernyshov, Lukoyanov & Partners as a direct source, which accepted and formalized the action.
The reasons for the lawsuit and the compensation requested
“The reason for the lawsuit – writes the Russian Information Agency – is the violation of the rights of Russian users, due to Netflix's unilateral refusal to provide its services in Russia”. The firm representing the class action is asking for 60 million rubles in damages, equal to about 685 thousand euros.
The "Register of audiovisual services"
In reality, even Russia had made a questionable move towards Netflix. In December, Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, had added the streaming platform to its registry of audiovisual services, a mandatory inclusion in Russia for any app or site that broadcasts audio and video material to more than 100 unique subscribers.
The "state channels" to be included in Netflix programming
So far, nothing special. The problem is that - on the basis of a new law in force since March - the same regulator has hypothesized to include dozens of state channels in Netflix's programming.
"Given the current situation - replied the American company - we have no plans to add these channels to our service". Hence the decision to stop the service throughout Russia.
