After examining why TCPA cases alleging autodialer claims have fallen into disfavor with plaintiffs’ attorneys, we discuss the increasing volume of TCPA cases involving do-not-call (DNC) claims.  Topics include how the DNC registries operate, coverage of the TCPA DNC prohibitions, elements of a DNC claim, exceptions and defenses, penalties and other available relief, and arguments available to defendants for defeating DNC class actions.… Continue Reading

On December 30, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released its Report and Order, implementing provisions of the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (the “TRACED Act”).

By way of background, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) includes a provision that bans “any telephone call to any residential telephone line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message without the prior express consent of the called party,” unless a statutory or regulatory exception applies.… Continue Reading

In an Order on Reconsideration issued December 9, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission concluded that the TCPA applies to contractors working for the federal government.  The Order reverses a 2016 Declaratory Ruling.  Unlike the 2016 ruling in which it declined to address state and local governments, the FCC also determined in the Order that the TCPA does not apply to state governments but state government contractors and local governments are subject to the TCPA.… Continue Reading

A recent settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and a media conglomerate underscores the importance of implementing robust Telephone Consumer Protection Act compliance measures, including for third-party vendors.  In 2017, a jury found DISH Network LLC liable for its vendors’ violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, as well as several state statutes. … Continue Reading

In Allan v. Pa. Higher Educ. Assistance Agency, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s (TCPA) statutory definition of an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”) includes telephone equipment that can automatically dial phone numbers stored in a list, rather than just phone numbers that the equipment randomly or sequentially generates.… Continue Reading

Days after missing the opportunity in Barr v. American Association of Political Consultants to limit the improper impact of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act on legitimate businesses, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle the most debated issue in TCPA litigation history.  The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide what qualifies as an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS).… Continue Reading

On July 6, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Barr v. American Association of Political Consultants that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s exception from its automated call restriction for calls to collect government debts violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  The Court also decided that the proper remedy for the constitutional violation is to sever the exception from the remainder of the TCPA, thereby making calls to collect government debts subject to the TCPA’s automated call restriction and otherwise leaving the restriction in place for any other calls to which it now applies.… Continue Reading

The issue of whether a consumer can unilaterally revoke consent to receive automated remains a significant concern for industry.  We look at how the FCC and courts have approached the issue and discuss recent significant decisions from federal appeals courts holding that the TCPA does not allow a consumer to unilaterally revoke consent when it is given as part of a bargained-for exchange.… Continue Reading

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has joined the Seventh and Eleventh Circuits in ruling that the “prior express consent” required by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for autodialed calls to cellular phones must come from the current subscriber and not the intended recipient of the call.… Continue Reading