Maine Automatic Renewal Cancellation Letter

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Writing to end a Maine subscription to an app, a streaming player, online software or a digital periodical puts your cancellation on paper against Section 1210-C of Title 10, which defines an automatic subscription renewal as an offer or agreement for a specified time and price that is automatically renewed at the end of a definite term for a subsequent term unless you affirmatively act to cancel it.

2. 2

   The law works from a list rather than covering every contract. Its seven categories are online magazines, journals and periodicals; online media players; mobile apps; social networking services; Internet game services; online software; and, added by Public Law 2025, chapter 376, health club memberships. An Internet game service excludes online gambling, and a seller does not include an entity providing only the host platform on a game service's website.

3. 3

   The cancellation route is set by Section 1210-C(2). The seller must provide for cancellation by a consumer using the same method and in the same manner by which the consumer initially agreed to the subscription. If a phone number is also provided for cancellation, the number must be toll-free and must be prominently displayed in the disclosure, and that disclosure must describe the methods you may use to cancel.

4. 4

   Enrollment has its own conditions. Before enrolling you, the seller shall obtain your express consent through a check box, an electronic signature requirement or other affirmative action agreeing to the renewal offer. The disclosure must present all material terms clearly, conspicuously and in an easily accessible way, including the amount and frequency of charges and the seller's refund policy upon cancellation, and the seller may not make any misrepresentation of a material fact about the renewal offer.

5. 5

   An extended renewal is one with a specified subscription term of 12 months or more that renews for a specified term of more than one month. For those, Section 1210-C(3) says the seller shall provide notice no more than 30 days before the renewal date, disclosing clearly and conspicuously that the subscription will renew unless you cancel and where you can obtain details about the renewal and cancellation procedure.

6. 6

   Timing matters for which text applies. Section 13 of Public Law 2025, chapter 376, approved June 20, 2025, says that Act applies only to offers or agreements entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The chapter as a whole, under Section 1210-C(4), applies only to an agreement entered into or renewed after January 1, 2020 with a consumer in this State.

7. 7

   Section 1210-D(1) makes a violation of the chapter a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act, and adds that a person found in violation based on unauthorized subscription or other charges is required to provide to the consumer a refund or credit for 3 times the unauthorized amounts billed or paid. Subsection 2 bars an action under that Act where the violation resulted from an error and the seller provides a full refund or credit for the period it describes, and subsection 3 says the Attorney General shall enforce the chapter.

Maine Requirements for Automatic Renewal Cancellation Letter

• The Listed Category Your Subscription Falls In

  Section 1210-C(1) reaches only listed categories: online magazines, journals and periodicals; online media players; mobile apps; social networking services; Internet game services other than online gambling; online software; and one membership category added in 2025. Name the category in the letter so the statute's reach is clear on its face.

• Your Agreement Date and Each Renewal Date

  Public Law 2025, chapter 376, Section 13 applies that Act to offers or agreements entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and Section 1210-C(4) applies the chapter to agreements entered into or renewed after January 1, 2020. Record when you first agreed and when each renewal charge posted.

• How You Agreed, Matched to How You Are Cancelling

  Section 1210-C(2) says the seller must provide for cancellation using the same method and in the same manner by which you initially agreed to the subscription. State the method you used to agree, such as a website, an app or a phone call, and the method and date you used to cancel.

• Any Phone Number Offered for Cancelling

  If the seller also provides a phone number for cancellation, Section 1210-C(2) says it must be toll-free and prominently displayed in the disclosure. Note the number shown, whether it was toll-free, and the date and result of each call you made.

• Express Consent and the Sign-Up Disclosure

  Section 1210-C(2) requires express consent through a check box, electronic signature requirement or other affirmative action, and a clear, conspicuous and easily accessible disclosure of material terms, cancellation methods, the amount and frequency of charges and the refund policy upon cancellation. Say which of these you saw.

• Whether an Extended Renewal Notice Was Owed

  For a specified subscription term of 12 months or more that renews for more than one month, Section 1210-C(3) says the seller shall provide notice no more than 30 days before the renewal date, stating that it renews unless cancelled and where to get renewal and cancellation details. Record any notice date.

• Each Disputed Charge, Itemized

  List each charge you say you did not authorize, with its date and amount. Section 1210-D(1) ties a finding of violation based on unauthorized charges to a refund or credit for 3 times the unauthorized amounts, so an itemized list keeps the figures clear without asserting any outcome.

• The Unfair Trade Practices Act Reference, Stated Factually

  Section 1210-D(1) makes a violation of the chapter a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act. Title 5, Section 213 provides a private action for actual damages and restitution after a written demand for relief at least 30 days before filing. Cite these factually; attorney review is available as an option.