Roku TV Users Have to Agree Not to Sue If They Want to Keep Watching

• Roku began notifying users last week of a revision to its terms and conditions.
• Users must agree to arbitration instead of suing Roku if they wish to continue using their Roku TV.
• If they want to opt out of the dispute resolution terms, there’s only a limited time to act.

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You might want to read the updated terms and conditions carefully on your Roku TV next time you turn it on.

If, like many of us, you just click “I accept,” you’ll be waiving your right to take Roku to court or join in on any class action lawsuits against the company.

And if you don’t accept, you won’t be able to use your device.

While forced arbitration isn’t unusual for companies looking to avoid lawsuits, Roku’s new terms have led frustrated owners to take to the company’s online forum to complain about the change. Some are accusing the company of coercion, alleging their device was rendered useless until they accepted the new terms.

“Like many companies, Roku updates its terms of service from time to time. When we do, we take steps to make sure customers are informed of the change,” a Roku spokesperson told Business Insider.

So what happens if an issue does arise and you’ve agreed to the terms? Well, they state that “you and Roku will participate in an individual meet-and-confer” call — you can have a lawyer present for this. Afterwards, the party on the receiving end of the claim can “make a fair, fact-based offer of resolution if it chooses to do so.”

And if you don’t want to sign, there is a way to try and opt out of Roku’s new rules (that also apply to new and old claims you might have). Once you’ve received the new dispute resolution terms, you have 30 days to mail a letter declining arbitration. Sending an email won’t work.

“If you send timely written notice containing the required information in accordance with this Section 1(L), then neither party will be required to arbitrate the Claims between them,” the T&Cs said.

Regardless, some users aren’t impressed. “Until they did this, I never thought about suing Roku. I own several Rokus including 3 Roku TVs. I’ll never buy another one,” one person wrote on the forum.