Apple class action claims company falsely advertises digital content on Apple TV as ‘4K’

Apple TV class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Eddie Guerra filed a class action lawsuit against Apple Inc.
• Why: Guerra claims Apple falsely advertises digital content on its Apple TV platform as “4K”. 
• Where: The Apple class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

ArticleA new class action lawsuit alleges Apple Inc. advertises movies and other video content for purchase on its Apple TV platform as 4K (approximately 4,000 pixels) despite downloaded content only being available in a maximum of 1080 pixels.

Plaintiff Eddie Guerra claims content advertised as 4K on Apple TV can only be viewed in 4K, if at all, only by streaming the content over an internet connection and, further, that the license to view the content is subject to be removed by Apple “at all times.” 

“Apple does not allow the downloading of 4K content for offline viewing, despite advertising digital content as 4K at the time of sale,” the Apple class action says.

Guerra wants to represent a nationwide class and California class of consumers who bought a digital audiovisual work from Apple TV that was advertised as “4K.” 

Apple failed to disclose ownership of digital content, class action alleges

Guerra also argues Apple violates California law by failing to disclose that consumers who select to “Buy” digital content on Apple TV are not obtaining unrestricted ownership interest in the digital good. 

Apple is required by law to disclose to consumers who “Buy” the digital content that they are not actually “purchasing it,” but rather only obtaining a limited license to it, according to the Apple class action lawsuit. 

“Unknown to consumers, Apple has the option and the right to unilaterally revoke this license, such as if it loses the rights to any given digital good, such as through a merger with another company, sale of media and licensing rights, or discontinuation of its Apple TV service,” the Apple class action says. 

Guerra argues that Apple’s conduct is misleading and violates California’s Digital Property Rights Transparency Law, False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. 

The plaintiff demands a jury trial and requests injunctive and declaratory relief and an award of economic, monetary, actual, consequential, compensatory, punitive and nominal damages for himself and all class members. 

Two plaintiffs filed a similar class action lawsuit against Audible earlier this year over claims the company misleads consumers into thinking they own the audiobooks they purchase.

Have you purchased digital audiovisual work from Apple TV that was advertised as 4K? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Yeremey O. Krivoshey, Brittany S. Scott and Joel D. Smith of Smith Krivoshey, PC.The Apple class action lawsuit is Guerra, et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 5:25-cv-08593, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Homebuyers sue D.R. Horton and DHI Mortgage for allegedly hiding true monthly mortgage costs
• Lands’ End sued for alleged fake discounts and misleading marketing
• Tesla class action claims Powerwall 2 battery systems are defective
• Class action claims Kohler tracks users after they clicked ‘reject all’ on cookie banner