Following legal action by the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK), Canal+ Austria, previously known as HD Austria, will refund a €29.90 activation fee to its subscribers. This comes as part of a settlement resolving a dispute over several contract clauses deemed to violate consumer protection laws.
The AK challenged the activation fee, arguing it and other contractual conditions breached Austrian consumer rights legislation. After legal proceedings, Canal+ agreed to reimburse affected customers. Those who haven’t received a refund notification will be contacted by Canal+ with instructions on how to claim their money. Alternatively, they can apply directly via the Canal+ website or use a standardized letter template provided by the AK.
“The clause demanding an activation fee was unlawful. This is a success for consumer protection and a reminder to all providers to respect fair contract terms,” stated the AK. The AK confirmed that Canal+ also agreed to remove other disputed clauses from its future contracts.
This action arose from an AK review of Canal+ Austria’s terms and conditions. The AK routinely monitors service providers to ensure compliance with Austrian consumer law, reflecting their commitment to upholding legal standards in digital markets. Canal+ Austria, a joint venture between the Canal+ Group and A1 Telekom Austria, offers both satellite and streaming services.
The AK has published detailed information and a sample letter on its website to assist customers in reclaiming their refunds. This case underscores the importance of clear and fair contractual terms within the television industry and the ongoing efforts to protect consumer rights.