Netflix Loses Tax Case Appeal at European Union’s Top Court

The European Union’s top court has cleared the way for new taxes on cross-border broadcasting services, rejecting an appeal against the move from the world’s largest online television network.

The May 16 ECJ ruling (T-818/16) rejected an appeal by Netflix Inc. and its Dutch subsidiary, Netflix International BV, to overturn a German levy imposed to help fund German-language films and television programs.

Netflix’s appeal to challenge the extension of a German tax to foreign video-on-demand services was considered “inadmissible” by the European court.

Netflix had argued the extended tax contravenes EU audio-visual law “principle of origin” rules that restrict levies ...