Core Viewpoint - Over 10,000 European hotels have joined a collective lawsuit against Booking.com, seeking compensation for losses incurred due to a now-invalid clause that restricted competitive pricing [2][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The collective lawsuit targets Booking.com for damages from 2004 to 2024, claiming that the platform's clause put many hotels at a competitive disadvantage [2]. - The clause, which prohibited hotels from offering lower prices through their own or third-party channels, was ruled illegal by the European Court on September 19, 2024 [2]. - The deadline for hotels to join the lawsuit has been extended from July 31 to August 29 due to high demand for claims [3]. Group 2: Industry Impact - The lawsuit is supported by hotel industry associations from over 30 European countries, including Austria, Germany, Greece, and Italy [3]. - Despite dissatisfaction with Booking.com's practices, many hotels rely on the platform to expand their customer base [3]. - Booking.com holds a significant market share, accounting for 71% of the European market in 2023, with a notable decline in direct bookings from guests to hotels in recent years [3].