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With the FCC’s recent record fine of $7.5 million against Sprint Corp. for alleged Do-Not-Call violations, the more restrictive prior express written consent rule for marketing calls made to cell phones by an autodialer, and the continuous filing of class action complaints (See TCPA Update for recent filings), it is easy to understand why companies are wary of liability under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”).  As we’ve discussed previously, general uncertainty around how to interpret certain provisions of the TCPA has resulted in numerous petitions being filed with the FCC.

Although many areas still require clarification, the law around vicarious liability under the TCPA continues to develop.  Most recently, on July 2, 2014, the Ninth Circuit weighed in on Thomas v. Taco Bell Corp. in an unpublished decision that addresses vicarious liability under the TCPA. Let’s take a closer look.…

Continue Reading No Agency, No Claim: Taco Bell and the TCPA’s Vicarious Liability Standard

Over the past couple of months, we have been waving the caution flag in the air while attempting to warn businesses about the potential liability for violations under the TCPA.  In our previous posts, we noted the numerous consumer lawsuits that have been filed against businesses throughout the country, a list which continues to grow on a weekly basis (see our TCPA Update for more recent filings).  On May 19, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced a record $7.5 million fine against Sprint Corp. (“Sprint”) in a settlement for violations of the “Do-Not-Call” law, which should send a clear message to telemarketers that class actions are not the only threat to a telemarketer’s bottom line.  Indeed, the FCC’s statement on the settlement explicitly states:

We expect companies to respect the privacy of consumers who have opted out of marketing calls.  When a consumer tells a company to stop calling or texting with promotional pitches, that request must be honored.  Today’s settlement leaves no question that protecting consumer privacy is a top enforcement priority.

First, a brief refresher of the “Do-Not-Call” law’s history and basic statutory framework may be helpful.  Under 15 U.S.C. § 6151, the “Do-Not-Call Registry Act of 2003” went into effect in 2003, establishing a national registry for consumers to opt out of telemarketing calls for free.  The statute formally ratified the FTC’s do-not-call registry provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 310.4(b)(1)(iii).  The “Do-Not-Call Implementation Act of 2003,” 15 U.S.C. § 6152 et seq. authorized the FCC to issue do-not-call regulations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), 47 U.S.C. § 227 et seq.  As a result, in June 2003, the FCC supplemented its TCPA rules to also include a national Do-Not-Call list.  As a result, businesses must comply with both FCC and FTC regulations when making telemarketing calls.  Note that the FCC Guide on Unwanted Marketing Calls indicates the law applies only to personal landline and wireless phones—not business phones.  The “Do-Not-Call” law also exempts calls made with express prior written consent, calls made by nonprofit organizations, or calls from a person or organization with an established business relationship. …
Continue Reading Caller Beware: FCC’s Record “Do-Not-Call” Fine Highlights Liability Under TCPA

With all of the recent litigation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), marketers are well aware that making telemarketing calls can be a tricky road to navigate.  In October 2013, the Federal Communication Commission’s (“FCC”) new TCPA rule went into effect, requiring prior express written consent to call consumers for telemarketing purposes— a higher standard than its previous “prior express consent” standard.  As we have written previously, a large number of cases under the old rule grappled with the meaning of what constituted prior express consent.  Although the rule itself has changed, the number of questions surrounding the rule has not.
Continue Reading A Watchful Eye Toward TCPA Filings