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I got the email this morning and i felt nothing but pity for the pathetic person who started the lawsuit.
I got the email saying that the Class action lawsuit was happening... and I just thought it was absolutely ridiculous so I had nothing to do with it. I didn't want to be the sleeze who uses this awesome service and then takes money from them.
I'm with both of you. I quit Netflix because I didn't enjoy the quality of service, so I got no love for them. But the person that brought this on? I have even less love for them.
I really do like Netflix, but sometimes I think they need to listen to their customers more re: let me empty my freaking 'recently watched' queue RAAAAAAAR... I don't need my whole family seeing a full list of all the gay comedies and Sgt. Frog episodes I watch.
When I saw the email about it I thought, "Damn, spam is getting sophisticated." Then I read more into it and started thinking, "Oh, maybe it's not spam. Cool."
So are they or are they not sharing our info? If they are, screw them and let them pay the charities.
People need to stop being so god damn particular with things and just enjoy. Who the hell cares if they're recording your rental history and not sharing it with anyone?! Same for gamers, stop complaining about the games you aren't getting and start enjoying the ones you are. Everyone is so pissy all the time and it's just depressing.
Yeah, that's how the court system works. They might be convinced they did no wrong, but they might not be able to convince a jury of that, so instead of gambling $2 million on a victory vs $20 million and a public apology, scandal, etc. on a loss - they settle for $9 million.
Pretty common, actually; most lawsuits never make it to court, and that's a good thing because courts are costly to everyone and they take a long time.
(These numbers are made up, but lawyers are expensive, especially since the case would probably take a couple of years at least.)
Pretty common, actually; most lawsuits never make it to court, and that's a good thing because courts are costly to everyone and they take a long time.
(These numbers are made up, but lawyers are expensive, especially since the case would probably take a couple of years at least.)
Netflix is amazing. I live in Canada and have worked out how to get American Netflix (which is vastly superior). I totally understand how they put Blockbuster out of business. Also; fuck the cable companies.
The thing that got me when I read that email was that the lawyers are getting a ridiculous amount of money. 25% or ~2.25mil going to the lawyers for this bullshit? This is why we can't have nice things in this country.
This seems pretty ridiculous. I thought it was assumed they retained this information thus their ability to reccomend shit. I rather sue them for their sudden decline in quality choices. Stars apparently was better than i thought for them.
Oh noes, Netflix knows that I watched Highschool of the Dead! Quick, sue them before they tell my mother!
@Bodybreak....
Please... PM Me how you sorted that out... are you using a service for it? My buddie said his went down every few months and had to re-do it.... as much as I enjoy our CRTC Watered down version, Damn if I wish i couldn't get the US version up here too! (I'm in BC BTW)
Please... PM Me how you sorted that out... are you using a service for it? My buddie said his went down every few months and had to re-do it.... as much as I enjoy our CRTC Watered down version, Damn if I wish i couldn't get the US version up here too! (I'm in BC BTW)
people that are against class action lawsuits are just annoying. Its the only viable means to stop large corporations from just completely taking advantage of consumers.
MetaTotoro " I don't need my whole family seeing a full list of all the gay comedies and Sgt. Frog episodes I watch.".... loud and proud man, only way to go. http://myanimelist.net/profile/algibraic
I dunno a company keeping track of what you buy or rent is such a basic and important thing.
Amazon is all about recommending me porn
Amazon is all about recommending me porn
I'm more upset about being included in a case I never opted to be included in. I feel more violated by that then by Netflix.
I'm more upset about being included in a case I never opted to be included in. I feel more violated by that then by Netflix.
So someone could have known I watched My Little Pony, Dragon Ball Z and Spongebob on Netflix? Oooh, big freaking deal. It's not like your view history means much. Whoever started this lawsuit obviously had money on the mind.
@ Ari Goldman
So, basically anything that isn't a small, family run business deserves to get sued when no actual infraction has been proven?
You know what annoys me? When greedy opportunists encourage Americans to get rich of the backs of scores of people who WORK for said "large corporations". Do you think those people are "protected" by lawsuits like this? Shit like this devalues people's right to litigate when it's actually important (IE: when a company's defective product kills or injures someone). It also reinforces the stereotype that Americans are all butthurt trolls out to make a quick buck any time somebody offends them.
So, basically anything that isn't a small, family run business deserves to get sued when no actual infraction has been proven?
You know what annoys me? When greedy opportunists encourage Americans to get rich of the backs of scores of people who WORK for said "large corporations". Do you think those people are "protected" by lawsuits like this? Shit like this devalues people's right to litigate when it's actually important (IE: when a company's defective product kills or injures someone). It also reinforces the stereotype that Americans are all butthurt trolls out to make a quick buck any time somebody offends them.
Relevant link is relevant: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120730/01264019871/yet-again-netflix-class-action-shows-that-class-action-lawsuits-are-mostly-about-making-lawyers-rich.shtml
The end takeaway is that only two people are named specifically in the suit being awarded anything even significant ($30,000 each), the money gets largely donated to charity, and the lawyers walk away with $2.25 million. The people actually "harmed" in this don't even get anything.
This was pretty much a lawyer's lawsuit, dressed up in class suit clothing. Ah, the joys of a broken system of a broken government.
The end takeaway is that only two people are named specifically in the suit being awarded anything even significant ($30,000 each), the money gets largely donated to charity, and the lawyers walk away with $2.25 million. The people actually "harmed" in this don't even get anything.
This was pretty much a lawyer's lawsuit, dressed up in class suit clothing. Ah, the joys of a broken system of a broken government.
@StonedFox no actual infraction was proven because netflix chose to settle. Otherwise said infraction would have been proven.
netflix settled because they were guilty.
there is actually very little abuse of the justice system by average americans, just people that aren't educated enough to know that. And instead base all their information off one or two stories sensationalized by the media.
and most of those times the only reason people think the system failed is because a gag order is issued as part of the settlement, so the only side of the story you hear is that of the giant corporate PR machine and not the victims.
when some chick tried to sue wendy's by putting a finger in her chili, she didn't earn a dime... She went to jail. Frivolous lawsuits are rarely if ever successful. Anyone with even slight knowledge of our court system would already know that of course.
netflix settled because they were guilty.
there is actually very little abuse of the justice system by average americans, just people that aren't educated enough to know that. And instead base all their information off one or two stories sensationalized by the media.
and most of those times the only reason people think the system failed is because a gag order is issued as part of the settlement, so the only side of the story you hear is that of the giant corporate PR machine and not the victims.
when some chick tried to sue wendy's by putting a finger in her chili, she didn't earn a dime... She went to jail. Frivolous lawsuits are rarely if ever successful. Anyone with even slight knowledge of our court system would already know that of course.
Corporations run our country, (see Citizens United vs The FEC, 2010), but we haven't reached a complete totalitarian state, yet.
The bigger the company is, the more they try to get away with; it's been so since corporations were allowed to exist after fulfilling their originally chartered purpose back in the 1800's.
Which lead to the resounding message today if you pay attention; shareholders above customers.
Regardless of the crushing apathy that courses through the viens of most of my fellow americans, it's important to use the few avenues we have left to prevent being used solely for shady corporate finacial gain.
The bigger the company is, the more they try to get away with; it's been so since corporations were allowed to exist after fulfilling their originally chartered purpose back in the 1800's.
Which lead to the resounding message today if you pay attention; shareholders above customers.
Regardless of the crushing apathy that courses through the viens of most of my fellow americans, it's important to use the few avenues we have left to prevent being used solely for shady corporate finacial gain.
@pneuma companies dont settle 9 million dollar lawsuits because its easier to pay than to fight it, that might be the case for some small potatoes lawsuits.
but lets be real here netflix settled because they knew they would lose if it went to trial.
the obvious conclusion is that netflix was probably doing whatever it is the class suit says they were doing.
but lets be real here netflix settled because they knew they would lose if it went to trial.
the obvious conclusion is that netflix was probably doing whatever it is the class suit says they were doing.
Why record our rental histories in the first place? It is a little fishy to do so in the first place.
okay, does this not seem pretty silly to some people? Are we really so ashamed of ourselves that we can't let people know what we're watching? How does that work when your sitting in a theater with other people? Did people watching Shame get pissed when they looked over and saw that other people were seeing Fassbender's penis? Or did people watching A Dangerous Method get up in arms when they saw others where in the room with them when Fassbender was spanking Kira Knightly? (Fassbender had a kinky year last year)
Or is this because they're selling the info and we get no money for it? Cause, while I guess it'd be cool if we did get something for it, isn't really a deal breaker for me. Even though we could all use more cash, I'm really tired of absolutely everything in this world coming down to cash -its depressing.
@Kurdoth
I got the same thing, but did you reply? Cause you could only opt out if you replied. In fact, replying is how you opted out. If you took no action, then your a part of the suit too.
@Dale
I've been thinking about doing the same, even though its our houses top form of entertainment (we're doing the totally internet thing). Problem is I don't know if I should be blaming them or Microsoft any more, cause I'm having a hard time believing the problems are totally netflix's fault.
But I do have to say, Hulu runs 200x better and is better organized. I really don't know why Netflix isn't more on the ball.
Or is this because they're selling the info and we get no money for it? Cause, while I guess it'd be cool if we did get something for it, isn't really a deal breaker for me. Even though we could all use more cash, I'm really tired of absolutely everything in this world coming down to cash -its depressing.
@Kurdoth
I got the same thing, but did you reply? Cause you could only opt out if you replied. In fact, replying is how you opted out. If you took no action, then your a part of the suit too.
@Dale
I've been thinking about doing the same, even though its our houses top form of entertainment (we're doing the totally internet thing). Problem is I don't know if I should be blaming them or Microsoft any more, cause I'm having a hard time believing the problems are totally netflix's fault.
But I do have to say, Hulu runs 200x better and is better organized. I really don't know why Netflix isn't more on the ball.
@ Ari Goldman
It's also worth pointing out two other things, that having the case decided in court can set precedent, and they probably would rather be setting one favorable to their future endeavors than against; and that having a case like this over an issue regarding privacy rights after a time when SOPA and PIPA was a major sticking issue would probably amount to an ugly smear for their PR to deal with.
With having a settlement, they can let the spotlight find something else to highlight while at the same time pointing out that their money is additionally going to charity as part of the settlement. Last time they dealt with a lawsuit, the judgment resulted in them having to give every customer a month's worth of upgraded service. If you didn't opt out after that free month, you were automatically subscribed to the service. Nice ending, eh?
@beam100
Marketing. Other companies could be interested in such information, and Netflix themselves certainly have a vested interest in remembering what you like to watch, so as to shape their marketing and promotions based on taste in media. They're probably not going to bother pushing their romantic comedy offerings to someone they have a history of watching only action movies that tend to include lots of explosions.
It's also worth pointing out two other things, that having the case decided in court can set precedent, and they probably would rather be setting one favorable to their future endeavors than against; and that having a case like this over an issue regarding privacy rights after a time when SOPA and PIPA was a major sticking issue would probably amount to an ugly smear for their PR to deal with.
With having a settlement, they can let the spotlight find something else to highlight while at the same time pointing out that their money is additionally going to charity as part of the settlement. Last time they dealt with a lawsuit, the judgment resulted in them having to give every customer a month's worth of upgraded service. If you didn't opt out after that free month, you were automatically subscribed to the service. Nice ending, eh?
@beam100
Marketing. Other companies could be interested in such information, and Netflix themselves certainly have a vested interest in remembering what you like to watch, so as to shape their marketing and promotions based on taste in media. They're probably not going to bother pushing their romantic comedy offerings to someone they have a history of watching only action movies that tend to include lots of explosions.
@Ari Goldman
I didn't say that anyone was trying to doop Netflix. I was implying that lawsuits like these aren't out to protect or benefit anyone other than lawyers and the couple of jackholes who hire them, even if these folks are within their rights to sue Netflix. I don't believe that all lawsuits against corporations are frivolous, I just think this one reeks of bullshit.
And just because most "average Americans" don't pursue frivolous lawsuits doesn't mean we should automatically award the plaintiff the benefit of the doubt. This is a handful of people making a bunch of money by claiming to represent Netflix users like me. But I guess you're just more informed on this sort of thing than me. *Rather acerbic fart noise*
I didn't say that anyone was trying to doop Netflix. I was implying that lawsuits like these aren't out to protect or benefit anyone other than lawyers and the couple of jackholes who hire them, even if these folks are within their rights to sue Netflix. I don't believe that all lawsuits against corporations are frivolous, I just think this one reeks of bullshit.
And just because most "average Americans" don't pursue frivolous lawsuits doesn't mean we should automatically award the plaintiff the benefit of the doubt. This is a handful of people making a bunch of money by claiming to represent Netflix users like me. But I guess you're just more informed on this sort of thing than me. *Rather acerbic fart noise*
@BoomingEchoes
"I'm really tired of absolutely everything in this world coming down to cash -its depressing."
Why, exactly, do you think Netflix was doing this? Cash. Why does Netflix even exist? To make cash. In the face of all the corporate deregulation that's been going on, lawsuits are just about the only thing protecting consumers. I can't believe how many people are cheerleading for big business these days. Ari has been right about every point he's made. All of you who think the legal system is just full of frivolous lawsuits, just keep drinking the Kool Aid. I'm a Netflix subscriber and I like the service, but they settled because what they were doing was wrong and they were going to lose. The legal system did it's job this time and we're better off for it.
"I'm really tired of absolutely everything in this world coming down to cash -its depressing."
Why, exactly, do you think Netflix was doing this? Cash. Why does Netflix even exist? To make cash. In the face of all the corporate deregulation that's been going on, lawsuits are just about the only thing protecting consumers. I can't believe how many people are cheerleading for big business these days. Ari has been right about every point he's made. All of you who think the legal system is just full of frivolous lawsuits, just keep drinking the Kool Aid. I'm a Netflix subscriber and I like the service, but they settled because what they were doing was wrong and they were going to lose. The legal system did it's job this time and we're better off for it.
I think you're mixing up "not crucifying a corporation for being a corporation" and "cheerleading for big business". There is a big gap between those two things. You're not really pointing out what is so morally outrageous about what Netflix is doing, you're just throwing it under the blanket term "big business" and acting like your point has been made.
Honestly, what is the absolute worst case scenario of Netflix saving customer viewing history? You could possibly receive advertisements targeted to you? I'll admit I'm not even close to a legal expert, but short of blackmailing its customers by threatening to tell their friends how much they watch "The Secret Life of the American Teenager", I don't see a lot of opportunities for nefarious dealings.
Honestly, what is the absolute worst case scenario of Netflix saving customer viewing history? You could possibly receive advertisements targeted to you? I'll admit I'm not even close to a legal expert, but short of blackmailing its customers by threatening to tell their friends how much they watch "The Secret Life of the American Teenager", I don't see a lot of opportunities for nefarious dealings.
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