If you have a dispute with Patreon, you must resolve it through private arbitration rather than a lawsuit in court, and you cannot join a class action lawsuit against Patreon.
This analysis describes what Patreon's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This clause removes your ability to sue Patreon in open court or band together with other users in a class action, which can be the most practical avenue for consumers with smaller individual claims.
US-based creators and patrons who experience harm from Patreon's actions may only pursue individual arbitration claims, potentially limiting practical recourse for smaller dollar disputes where individual arbitration costs may exceed the claim value.
How other platforms handle this
If, however, this Class Action Waiver is deemed invalid or unenforceable with respect to a particular Dispute...neither you nor Chegg will be entitled to arbitration of such Dispute.
the arbitration provider, National Arbitration and Mediation ("NAM"), shall not accept or administer any demand for arbitration and shall administratively close any arbitration unless the Party bringing such demand for arbitration can certify in writing that the terms...were fully satisfied.
Neither you nor we may elect arbitration of any claims seeking only individualized relief asserted by you or us in small claims court, so long as the action remains in that court and is not removed or appealed de novo...
"You and Patreon agree to resolve any disputes through final and binding arbitration, except as set forth under Exceptions to Agreement to Arbitrate below. YOU ARE GIVING UP THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE (OR PARTICIPATE IN AS A PARTY OR CLASS MEMBER) ALL DISPUTES IN COURT BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY.Excerpt from Patreon's Terms of Use
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision implicates the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), which generally favors enforcement of arbitration agreements, and the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules referenced in the terms.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form
Coinbase's User Agreement includes a mandatory arbitration clause that most users may not have reviewed. Here is what the clause states and how the opt-out process works.
561 arbitration provisions across 197 platforms. ConductAtlas tracks how dispute resolution is being restructured across the internet.
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This clause removes your ability to sue Patreon in open court or band together with other users in a class action, which can be the most practical avenue for consumers with smaller individual claims.
US-based creators and patrons who experience harm from Patreon's actions may only pursue individual arbitration claims, potentially limiting practical recourse for smaller dollar disputes where individual arbitration costs may exceed the claim value.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 206 platforms. See the full comparison.
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