Audible class action alleges audiobook purchases don’t confer full ownership

Audible class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against Audible.
• Why: Audible allegedly misleads consumers into thinking they own the audiobooks they purchase.
• Where: The Audible class action lawsuit was filed in Washington federal court.

Amazon’s Audible is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it misleads consumers into thinking they own the audiobooks they purchase through the platform when they actually only own a license to access them.

Plaintiffs Jeff Deitrich and Jessica Farrell filed the class action lawsuit against Audible on Aug. 28 in Washington federal court, alleging violations of state consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, Audible advertises that consumers can “buy” audiobooks on its website, leading them to believe they are purchasing full ownership of the digital content. However, the complaint alleges that consumers actually receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access the audiobooks, which Audible can revoke at any time.

The plaintiffs argue that Audible’s practices violate a new California law, the Digital Property Rights Transparency Law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. This law makes it illegal for sellers of digital goods to advertise them as being “bought” or “purchased” unless the seller either obtains explicit acknowledgment from the buyer that they are receiving a license or provides a clear and conspicuous statement that the purchase is a license, the lawsuit explains.

Lawsuit: Audible did not provide clear acknowledgment of digital ownership

The plaintiffs allege that Audible failed to meet either of these requirements, misleading consumers into believing they have full ownership of the audiobooks they purchase.

Their lawsuit claims that this lack of transparency harms consumers, who may overpay for audiobooks under the false impression that they own them outright.

The complaint also notes that Audible’s terms of use confirm that purchased audiobooks are subject to a license, not full ownership.

The plaintiffs are looking to represent anyone in California who purchased a digital audiobook from Audible. They are suing for violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act and seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

Earlier this year, Audible faced a class action lawsuit alleging it used Amazon customers’ personal information and payment methods on file to enroll them in memberships without their consent.

What do you think of the claims made in this Audible class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Wright A. Noel of Carson Noel PLLC and Philip L. Fraietta and Stafan Bogdanovich of Bursor & Fisher P.A.

The Audible audiobook class action lawsuit is Deitrich, et al. v. Audible Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-01659, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

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