This is the second of two posts discussing the Third Circuit’s recent TCPA decisions. This one, Dominguez v. Yahoo, Inc., No. 14-1751 (3d Cir.), concerns the proper interpretation of the term “automatic telephone dialing system” (“ATDS”), which is front and center in the consolidated appeal from the FCC’s July 10th Declaratory Ruling and Order.
Michael Daly
Articles by Michael Daly:
Why Everyone Is Upset About The Third Circuit’s Recent TCPA Decisions … And A Few Reasons Why They Shouldn’t Be
Defendants’ discussions of the Third Circuit’s recent decisions in Leyse v. Bank of America and Dominguez v. Yahoo have been all doom and gloom. Some of that disappointment is understandable, as the Third Circuit vacated notable defense rulings and expanded the scope of consumers who have statutory standing to file suit under the TCPA. On closer examination, however, both of the decisions offer not only a sword to plaintiffs but a shield to defendants. This is the first of two posts that will dissect those decisions and discuss their implications for the ever-growing number of defendants that are facing TCPA claims.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument In Campbell-Ewald Company v. Gomez
Last week the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Campbell-Ewald Company v. Gomez, a TCPA case that concerns (among other things) whether the claims of the named plaintiff in a putative class action will be mooted by an unaccepted offer of complete relief. For those who were unable to attend the spirited oral argument, audio and a transcript are available here.
Appeals From Declaratory Ruling Consolidated And Assigned To D.C. Circuit
As we previously noted, three petitions for review were filed in the immediate aftermath of the FCC’s Declaratory Ruling. On Friday, July 24, 2015, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a Consolidation Order that consolidated and randomly assigned those three appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
FCC Issues Highly Anticipated Declaratory Ruling And Order on TCPA Issues
More than three weeks after its contentious June 18th open meeting, the FCC has finally issued its Declaratory Ruling and Order. Our TCPA team is reviewing its 138 pages (including separate statements from each Commissioner) and will report back shortly.
District Court Says TCPA Plaintiffs Are Not Required To Plead Their Phone Numbers; Allows Plaintiff’s Negligence Claim Premised On Existence of Statutory Duty Of Care Under The TCPA To Move Forward
The District of South Carolina recently rejected the argument that TCPA claims must be dismissed if a plaintiff does not specify the telephone number that was allegedly called. See Williams v. Bank of America, No. 14-4809-RBH (D.S.C. June 19, 2015).
FCC Issues Commissioners’ Written Statements
The FCC has posted the video of and statements from yesterday’s Open Meeting. A compilation of the Commissioners’ written statements on TCPA issues is also available here. We will report back when the Commission issues its ruling.
FCC Holds Contentious Open Meeting, Majority Votes To Arm Plaintiffs With New Swords And Businesses With Few Shields
In the wake of its Open Meeting earlier today, the FCC issued a press release that promises “a package of declaratory rulings” that will bring “much needed clarity for consumers and businesses” on a variety of topics. Whether the rulings provide more answers than questions remains to be seen, as the Commission has yet to issue its order. What was on full display during the meeting and the subsequent press conferences, however, was how disenchanted Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly were with how the order had been negotiated. Neither they nor Chairman Wheeler were willing to elaborate in response to questions from reporters.
FCC To Hold Open Meeting
As we previewed a few weeks ago, the FCC will hold an Open Meeting in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Its published agenda includes the consideration of “a Declaratory Ruling and Order reaffirming the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s protections against unwanted robocalls, encouraging pro-consumer uses of robocall technology, and responding to a number of requests for clarity from businesses and other callers.” For those who are interested, there will be a live webcast of the meeting. We will report back after the meeting concludes.
Federal Court Denies Certification, Declines To Infer A Lack of Consent From A Lack Of Documentary Evidence Of Consent
The Middle District of Florida recently denied class certification because the plaintiff failed to prove that consent (or more to the point, an alleged lack of consent) could be established on a classwide basis. In doing so, it confirmed that class action plaintiffs have the burden of proving that issues are susceptible to classwide proof even though a defendant may bear the burden of proving or disproving some of those issues at trial. See Shamblin v. Obama for Am., No. 13-2428, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54849 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 27, 2015).