FCC Actions Archives - Page 17 of 17

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (“TCPA”)[1] places certain restrictions on telemarketing calls, text messages, and faxes. It has long been a favorite of the plaintiffs’ bar because it provides for statutory damages of $500 to $1500 per violation,[2] which in the aggregate can lead to substantial windfalls for plaintiffs. TCPA violations (even innocent ones) can place companies at significant risk and TCPA litigation has skyrocketed as a result.[3]

Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) added fuel to the fire by amending its TCPA rules and further restricting telemarketing calls.[4] The most significant of those amendments – which narrow and eliminate key statutory exemptions – will take effect tomorrow, on October 16, 2013.

Continue reading “New TCPA Rules Take Effect on October 16, 2013”

Welcome!

If you are reading this post, chances are you already know a lot about the TCPA. You don’t need to be told that it stands for “Telephone Consumer Protection Act.” Or that it restricts certain telemarketing calls, texts and faxes by a labyrinthine mosaic of statutory provisions and FCC regulations. Or that its ambiguities and statutory damages have made it a hotbed of litigation, particularly class action litigation. Or that the courts are struggling to bring some sense and clarity to the entire regime, while defendants experience an almost hydraulic pressure to settle cases involving even the most innocent, hyper-technical violations. You already know all of that. And, you probably also know that there will be a major development in the law tomorrow, when the FCC’s new telemarketing rules requiring written consent finally take effect. For a summary of the new rules, see our post here.

Continue reading “T-Minus 3, 2, 1…”