Consumers report losing access to features they already paid for — and now a class action lawsuit is seeking accountability.
Were you forced to pay extra subscription fees or lose access to features on a device you purchased? You may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. Fill out the form now to check your eligibility.
Many consumers are discovering the hard way that the products they buy may not be fully theirs. After spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on connected devices, some find they must pay additional subscription fees to access promised features.
These problems are being reported across a wide range of products, including electronics, smart appliances, fitness equipment, home gadgets and more.
Known as software tethering and device bricking, these practices may violate consumer protection laws. If you experienced these issues, you may have the right to take legal action.
Do you qualify?
If you purchased a product or electronic device and were forced to pay extra subscription fees to access promised features — or if your device became completely inoperable — you may be eligible to join a software tethering and device bricking lawsuit.
If this happened to you, fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify to join a free class action investigation.
Fill out the form on this page for more information.
The law firm responsible for the content of this page is: KalielGold PLLC; 202-350-4783; kalielgold.com
What is software tethering?
Software tethering occurs when a company uses software to control or limit how a product functions after it has been purchased. In practice, this often means that features you expected are locked behind a paywall, requiring ongoing subscription fees to use them.
For instance, some users of Echelon smart home gym systems and NordicTrack treadmills with iFit have reported that specific workout programs, tracking tools or performance features became inaccessible unless they paid new fees.
Similarly, parents who purchased a Snoo bassinet found that functions like weaning mode, sleep tracking and car ride mode were disabled unless they subscribed for $19.99 per month — on top of the product’s $1,695 retail price.
Whether it’s a treadmill, a bassinet or any other connected device, software tethering limits how you can use the product you already purchased. It can even reduce resale value, since new owners often face the same restrictions. Consumer advocates and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have warned that software tethering may amount to an unfair or deceptive business practice.
What is device bricking?
In extreme cases, software tethering can render products completely inoperable — a situation known as bricking or device bricking. When this happens, the hardware itself still exists, but the software that makes it run has been disabled or shut down, leaving owners with an unusable product.
For example, Spotify released its Car Thing device in 2022 but discontinued support in 2024. Customers who spent nearly $90 for a driver-friendly way to control Spotify were left with a useless product less than 2 years later.
Bricking can leave you with expensive machines that no longer work at all, effectively turning your high-dollar purchase into a costly brick. You lose access to the functions you paid for, and the product’s value drops to zero overnight.
How to join the device bricking lawsuit
Both software tethering and device bricking can cost consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars. People who purchased a product and then lost access to promised features — or were forced to pay new subscription fees — are now taking legal action.
If you experienced device bricking or found the features you expected were locked behind a paywall, you may be eligible to join a software tethering and device bricking lawsuit. Fill out the form on this page to share your experience and have your case reviewed.
Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.
See If You Qualify
Join a device bricking class action lawsuit investigation
Filling out this form is quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify.
After you fill out the form, an attorney(s) or their agent(s) may contact you to discuss your legal rights.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.
PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: THIS WEB PAGE IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND THE PARTICIPATING ATTORNEY(S) ARE INCLUDED BECAUSE THEY PAY AN ADVERTISING FEE. Top Class Actions is not a law firm, lawyer referral service, or prepaid legal services plan. We do not endorse or recommend any third-party claims processing company, lawyer, or law firm who participates in the network. We do not make any representation, and have not made any judgment, as to the qualifications, expertise, or credentials of any participating lawyer or processing group. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services or claims processing to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services or claims processing performed by other lawyers or claims processing group. The information contained herein is not legal advice. Any information you submit to Top Class Actions does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be protected by attorney-client privilege because Top Class Actions is not a law firm. Instead, your information will be forwarded to an attorney(s) or their agent(s) or a claims processing firm for the purpose of a confidential review and potential representation if you qualify. You will only be contacted by an attorney(s) or their agent(s) in response to your inquiry if your initial information appears to qualify you for representation. If you are not contacted by an attorney(s) or their agent(s) within one week, you should consult another firm since all legal claims are subject to filing deadlines. All photos on this website are stock art and do not depict clients.
