Netflix, Hulu Can't Hide Behind Internet Tax Freedom Act in Missouri Fee Fight Courtesy of networks (Logos) As streamers face an escalating battle with American cities over local utility fees, one judge issues a first-of-its-kind ruling as another judge hears First Amendment arguments over the digital transmission of 'Queen's Gambit' and 'Cobra Kai.' If 2020 became the year that American cities, burdened by a health pandemic and desperate to find new revenue, declared war on Netflix and other streamers, the year ended with a potentially important court ruling that suggests that the fight won't be an easy one for streaming services looking to avoid local taxation. In two separate orders, a Missouri judge ruled that townships in her state had alleged facts sufficient to support allegations that Netflix, Hulu and DirecTV were covered by Missouri's Video Services Providers Act and that these defendants couldn't avoid utility fees by holding up the Internet Tax Freedom Act.