The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would impose new requirements for the blocking of text messages by mobile wireless providers and propose new limitations on senders of text messages. The document has been circulated for consideration by the FCC at its March 2023 open meeting and the FCC’s ultimate resolution of the issues is subject to change.… Continue Reading
Third Circuit rejects TCPA claim in “junk fax” putative class action
On January 19, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously affirmed a district court’s dismissal of a Telephone Consumer Protection Act claim arising from allegedly illegal faxes about a free educational seminar.
Appellee Millennium Health LLC operated a laboratory providing drug testing and medication monitoring services to healthcare professionals, including Appellant Dr.… Continue Reading
Ninth Circuit panel follows circuit precedent on TCPA autodialer definition but concurring judge takes issue with precedent
A Ninth Circuit panel affirmed the district court’s dismissal with prejudice of a class action complaint in which the plaintiff alleged that Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending unsolicited “Birthday Announcement” text messages to consumers’ cell phones. Among other restrictions, the TCPA prohibits calls to cell phone numbers using an Automatic Telephone Dialing System (ATDS) without prior express consent. … Continue Reading
FCC rules ringless voicemails are subject to TCPA robocall prohibition
The Federal Communications Commission ruled this month that “ringless voicemail” to wireless phones is a “call” made using an artificial or prerecorded voice and therefore subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act robocall prohibition. The TCPA prohibits making any non-emergency call using an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice to a wireless telephone number without the prior express consent of the called party. … Continue Reading
Ninth Circuit puts new limits on aggregate statutory awards following remand of nearly $1 billion TCPA judgment
In Wakefield v. ViSalus, Inc., the Ninth Circuit considered whether a jury verdict of $925,200,000 for cumulative statutory damages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227 (“TCPA”) was constitutional in light of its harsh severity. After a three-day trial, the jury delivered a verdict against ViSalus, finding that it sent over 1.8 million prerecorded calls to class members without prior express consent, in violation of the TCPA. … Continue Reading
Utah federal district court denies class certification in TCPA lawsuit filed against Ballard Spahr client
Represented by a team of Ballard Spahr attorneys, a seller of consumer products recently defeated the plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class in their lawsuit filed in Utah federal district court alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by the seller and another defendant. My fellow Ballard team members were Jenny Perkins, Will Reilly, and Ashley Waddoups.… Continue Reading
Oklahoma Governor signs bill limiting use of automated dialing systems
On May 20, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed into law House Bill No. 3168 which imposes new limits on the use of automated dialing systems. The new law, titled the “Telephone Solicitation Act of 2022” (Act), takes effect on November 1, 2022.
The Act prohibits the use of an “automated system” to make a “commercial telephonic sales call” without the “prior express written consent” of the “called party.” … Continue Reading
This week’s podcast: An update on Telephone Consumer Protection Act litigation in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Facebook v. Duguid
Although the decision narrowed the technology covered by the TCPA’s automatic telephone dialing system definition, the TCPA continues to be very dangerous. We first discuss the plaintiff bar’s case strategy in response to the decision and the decision’s implications for defendants’ case strategy. We then look at the increasing volume of cases alleging violations of the TCPA provisions on calls using an artificial or prerecorded voice and do-not-call, identify the most significant remaining TCPA risks companies face, and offer thoughts on steps companies can take to reduce TCPA risk.… Continue Reading
FCC Chairwoman proposes ruling declaring ringless voicemails subject to TCPA autodialer prohibition
Although several court decisions have held that ringless voicemails to a consumer’s cell phone constitute “calls” subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) autodialer prohibition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not yet officially weighed in on the question. In 2017, a marketing company filed a petition with the FCC seeking a declaratory ruling that the technology was not subject to the TCPA but the petition was withdrawn.… Continue Reading
Oklahoma bill introduced to limit use of automated dialing systems
A bill was recently introduced in the Oklahoma legislature that would impose new limits on the use of automated dialing systems. If enacted, the bill would become effective November 1, 2022.
Titled the “Telephone Solicitation Act of 2022,” the bill would prohibit the use of an “automated system” to make a “telephonic sales call” without the “prior express written consent” of the “called party.”… Continue Reading