EU Consumer Rights In Online Subscription Renewals

The laws in the European Union (EU) provide consumers with the right to change their minds and cancel online purchases within a 14-day period. However, questions have emerged about the applicability of this right when subscriptions automatically renew, especially post a free trial. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) provided clarity on this issue through a case involving a dispute between a consumer protection association and an online learning platform in Austria.

Background facts

The case brought before the ECJ involved a dispute between a consumer protection association and an online learning platform operating in Austria. The platform's terms and conditions stated that users are entitled to a 30-day free trial period when they first sign up for a subscription, during which they can terminate the subscription at any time. Following the conclusion of the 30-day trial, the subscription automatically renewed for a specified term and became subject to charges.