Adobe class action alleges misleading subscription and auto-renewal practices

Adobe class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Two plaintiffs, Stephanie Wohlfiel and Vianca Marquez, filed a class action lawsuit against Adobe.
• Why: They claim Adobe misleads consumers about the terms and conditions of  its subscription services.
• Where: The Adobe class action was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit accuses Adobe Inc. of misleading consumers about the terms and conditions of its Adobe subscription services.

Two plaintiffs, Stephanie Wohlfiel and Vianca Marquez, filed the class action complaint against Adobe Inc. on Aug. 4 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state consumer laws.

The lawsuit also claims Adobe intentionally designed its enrollment process to hide material terms and make cancellation difficult, further trapping consumers in unwanted subscription services.

The plaintiffs allege Adobe obscures key terms like subscription duration, renewal conditions and cancellation policies, leaving consumers unaware of what they’re signing up for.

Adobe’s practices violate California consumer protection laws, conversion, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation and fraud, the lawsuit alleges.

Class action: Adobe’s enrollment process fails to clearly disclose material terms

Adobe’s subscription model, which includes monthly, annual billed monthly and annual prepaid plans, is designed to mislead consumers, the plaintiffs say.

The lawsuit alleges Adobe’s enrollment process fails to clearly and conspicuously disclose material terms of its annual billed monthly plan, including the one-year commitment, early termination fee and the relationship between the fee and the contract.

Adobe’s subscription plans often appear to be monthly, but they actually require an annual commitment, the plaintiffs say. Consumers who cancel early face hefty “early termination fees” (ETFs), the lawsuit says.

“Adobe’s deception was no accident,” the complaint claims, citing an Adobe executive who reportedly referred to the hidden ETF as being “a bit like heroin for Adobe.”

The plaintiffs allege Adobe’s cancellation procedures are intentionally burdensome, making it difficult for consumers to escape unwanted subscriptions.

The lawsuit seeks to represent all consumers who incurred early termination fees or paid the full annual contract for an Adobe subscription within the past four years.

The plaintiffs are suing for violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act, as well as conversion, unjust enrichment and negligent misrepresentation.

They are seeking certification of the Adobe class action, damages, restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, fees, costs and a jury trial.

In another Adobe class action filed earlier this year, plaintiffs accuse the company of secretly tracking and monetizing consumers’ online data without their knowledge or consent.

What do you think of the allegations made in this Adobe class action? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Nicholas A. Coulson of Coulson P.C.The Adobe class action lawsuit is Wohlfiel, et al. v. Adobe Inc., Case No. 5:25-cv-06562, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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