Legimi UOKiK probe threatens digital book platform with fine up to 10% of revenue
Poland's competition and consumer watchdog UOKiK has pressed formal charges against Warsaw-listed ebook provider Legimi. The authority challenges unilateral changes to existing subscriptions and misleading free trial sign-ups. The company now faces potential financial penalties reaching 10% of its annual turnover.
⚡ Key numbers:
- Up to 10% – potential fine based on Legimi's annual revenue
- 3 days – length of the disputed free trial reading promotion
- October 2024 – launch date of the contested Club Catalogue restructuring
Regulatory scrutiny over subscription alterations
The President of UOKiK launched formal proceedings following consumer complaints regarding modified subscription terms. As reported by Bankier.pl, the regulator determined that the digital publisher unlawfully curtailed services for which readers had already paid.
The conflict stems from Legimi's introduction of a secondary Club Catalogue in October 2024. Certain ebook and audiobook titles were relocated into this paid tier, requiring extra fees from existing subscribers who previously had unrestricted access.
According to the watchdog, Legimi's terms of service at that time did not allow for such unilateral catalogue cuts. The authority ruled that existing contract holders suffered an impermissible reduction in access.
“The issue is that the terms of service in effect at the time did not provide for such a change in catalogue content. (…) In the assessment of the President of UOKiK, the company thereby unlawfully restricted the scope of the service that consumers had already paid for”
— Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) (via Bankier.pl)
Watchdog questions free trial button transparency
The investigation also takes aim at how Legimi acquired trial users. The company promoted a 3-day complimentary reading trial accessed via an order button labelled simply as completing a reservation.
UOKiK determined this interface failed to clarify that uncancelled trials converted automatically into recurring paid memberships. Consumer regulations require transactional buttons to explicitly state that an obligation to pay follows.
The agency stated that placing billing disclaimers on other sections of a webpage does not satisfy the requirement for an unequivocally labelled transaction button.
Material risks for NewConnect investors
The enforcement action exposes the NewConnect-listed company to major legal and reputational risks. If the charges are substantiated in final rulings, the regulator can impose fines amounting to 10% of annual turnover.
For market participants following Polish tech equities, this development adds regulatory headwinds on top of previous operational disputes with book publishers.
What to watch next
- Formal legal reply and defence strategy from Legimi management
- UOKiK final decision and potential penalty announcements
- Subscriber retention metrics following platform contract revisions
Frequently asked questions
What triggered the Legimi UOKiK probe?
UOKiK intervened after users complained about unilateral catalog restrictions and ambiguous button disclosures during 3-day free trial sign-ups.
What financial penalties could Legimi face?
Under Polish consumer protection law, UOKiK can levy fines reaching up to 10% of the firm's total annual turnover.
Why was the free trial button deemed non-compliant?
Regulators concluded that an order button must clearly indicate a financial payment obligation when trials convert automatically into paid subscriptions.
Sources: Bankier.pl.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Data as of Oct 26, 2026, 13:37 may vary by source. Trading leveraged CFDs carries a high risk of losing money.
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