Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has taken action against Canal+ for unilaterally changing the terms of its contracts with subscribers in a manner that is inconsistent with the law.
In a statement, the UOKiK says that the proceedings instituted against the DTH platform Cyfra+ (now known as nc+, following its merger with n) in November 2013 refer to actions undertaken by the platform at the beginning of 2012.
These saw Cyfra+ inform their customers of an increase in their subscription fees from March. Should they not accept the new conditions, their contracts would be terminated.
The UOKiK concluded that Cyfra+ was breeching the terms of the contracts, which should remain valid until their conclusion.
It also said that the operator would now have to provide existing customers inconvenienced by its actions with a free service – a VOD package, new TV channel or change of decoder.
Former customers, on the other hand, should be offered a subscription under special conditions or a cash refund of PLN43.16 (€10.76).
The UOKiK in addition said that every customer who still felt aggrieved could pursue the matter further by taking legal action.
