Anne Bucher  |  December 13, 2017

Category: Consumer News

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PANEVEZYS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 20, 2016: YouTube app on Sony smart TV. YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos.LG Electronics has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging some of its Smart TVs are unable to access YouTube, the popular video streaming app.

Plaintiff Richard Conn says LG has been manufacturing and selling Smart TVs in the United States since approximately 2009. One of the biggest draws of Smart TVs is their ability to stream video content from the internet and connected apps.

In 2013, LG reportedly began switching from an older flash-based Application Programming Interface (API) system to a newer HTML5-based API system. The LG Smart TVs that run on the newer HTML5 systems still reportedly allow viewers to access YouTube.

However, flash-based Smart TVs no longer have access to the YouTube app, the LG class action lawsuit alleges. This access allowed consumers to access video streaming applications directly from their televisions.

“Not since the advent of color television had consumers’ viewing experience changed so dramatically,” Conn alleges in the LG class action lawsuit. “Manufacturers including Defendant took advantage of the dramatic change in television use – profits and revenues soared.”

Conn alleges LG promoted its Smart TVs as a different experience from traditional television sets because of their ability to stream videos and access other entertainment apps. According to the LG class action lawsuit, LG marketed its Smart TVs as “having all the convenience of smart phones and computers with the ease and convenience of using a familiar device – the television set – in the comfort of consumers’ living rooms.”

Therefore, LG reportedly promoted its most popular entertainment apps, including YouTube, by placing the logo in its packaging, in-store displays, online and in television commercials to inform consumers that the LG Smart TVs came equipped with YouTube access.

According to the LG class action lawsuit, the LG website acknowledges that its Smart TVs that were manufactured prior to 2013 can no longer access YouTube. The following LG models are allegedly affected: LD550, LD650, LE3530, LE5400, LE5500, LE7500, LE8500, LX6500, LX9500, PK750, PK950 and PX950.

Conn alleges that LG has not offered any remedy to consumers who purchased an LG Smart TV that can no longer access YouTube. The company has reportedly recommended purchasing a new Smart TV or buying an exterior streaming device like a Google Chromecast in order to access YouTube. Conn claims that LG is using the loss of YouTube functionality to sell new Smart TVs and profit off of the affected consumers.

The LG Smart TV class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, and violations of various state consumer protection laws.

LG is not the only Smart TV manufacturer to take heat over the loss of YouTube access. A similar Smart TV class action lawsuit was filed against Samsung earlier this year.

Conn is represented by Kaveh S. Elihu, Thomas L. Dorogi and Sylvia V. Panosian of Employee Justice Legal Group LLP.

The LG Smart TV YouTube Access Class Action Lawsuit is Richard Conn v. LG Electronics, et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-08793, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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114 thoughts onLG Class Action Lawsuit Says Smart TVs Can’t Access YouTube App

  1. Sonya Ward says:

    Pls add me. Same issue.

  2. Ramona says:

    my LG tv stopped accessing YouTube a few yrs ago and it would always say something about an update which never fixed it

  3. J G says:

    Add me, please. Thank you.

  4. Franciel Brown says:

    Add me please

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

      1. Pamela says:

        Call my internet provider several times to correct problem only to find out that my
        Smart TV is not so smart.

        1. Pamela says:

          Add my LS5700. So not a smart TV.

        2. Pamela says:

          pls add me to list with the problems with these LG tv’s

          1. Top Class Actions says:

            The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

    2. James C. says:

      Add me

  5. Roger says:

    Add me, same issue

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

  6. Richard Wood says:

    Add me

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

  7. BECKY V MORRIS says:

    So true

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

  8. Raymond W Holm says:

    Yes it’s true
    add me

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. We recommend you sign up for a free account at TopClassActions.com and follow the case. We will update the article with any major case developments or settlement news! Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!

  9. James C. says:

    My LD550 got that problem

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