Current and Former Netflix Subscribers Could Be Affected by A Class Action Settlement

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the law firm(s) of Edelson McGuire LLC and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC:

A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that claims Netflix unlawfully kept and disclosed customer information, including records on the movies and TV shows its customers viewed. Netflix denies that it has done anything wrong.

Any current or former Netflix subscriber as of July 5, 2012 and lives in the U.S. or its territories is included in the Settlement.

The Settlement has been preliminarily approved by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  Netflix has agreed to change its data retention practices so that it separates (known as "decoupling") Entertainment Content Viewing History (that is, movies and TV shows that someone watched) from identification information for those subscribers who have not been a Netflix for at least 365 days, with some exceptions.  In addition, Netflix will pay $9 million into a Settlement Fund, from which it will make donations to Court-approved not-for-profit organizations, institutions, or programs that educate users, regulators, and enterprises regarding issues relating to protection of privacy, identity, and personal information through user control, pay notice and settlement administration expenses, attorneys' fees of up to $2.25 million plus up to $25,000 in expenses, and a total incentive award of $30,000 to the Named Plaintiffs (a total of six individuals).

Proposals from potential donation recipients will be sought, and, after consideration, recommendations will be made to the Court. A list of the proposed donation recipients will be posted on the website. Class Members who do nothing will remain in the Settlement and their rights will be affected. If they do not want to be included, they must exclude themselves by November 14, 2012. If they exclude themselves they keep the right to sue Netflix about the claims in this lawsuit. Class Members who remain in the Settlement can object to it by November 14, 2012. The Court will hold a hearing on December 5, 2012 to consider any objections, whether to approve the Settlement, award attorneys' fees, and incentive award. Any Class Member can appear at the hearing, but they don't have to. They can hire an attorney at their own expense to appear or speak for them at the hearing.

For more information about the lawsuit, Settlement, and other relevant information, visit

www.VideoPrivacyClass.com or call 1-866-898-5088.

SOURCE Edelson McGuire LLC and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC