FTC Settles with Service Provider over Robocall Violations

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Robocalls Robocalls are telephone calls that use both a computerized auto-dialer and a computer-delivered pre-recorded message.  Robocalls tend to receive a heightened level of scrutiny under various state and federal telemarketing laws – and that scrutiny is expected to increase when new Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) rules take effect on October 16, 2013. Regulatory […]

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Lawmakers Pressure E-Cig Regulations

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As detailed on this blog, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) previously gave notice that it would publish its long-awaited electronic cigarette (“e-cig”) regulations in April 2013.   In accordance with these representations, we have closely monitored all FDA outlets for news of the proposed regulations.  At the end of April, we were disappointed to learn

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Multilevel Marketing: How to Avoid Building the Pyramid

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The most popular multilevel marketing (“MLM”) companies and brands have attained near-cultural icon status: Amway, Herbalife, Mary Kay, and Shaklee.  Many Americans are familiar with these brands, as well as some of the lesser-known variations that might have been introduced by an overzealous acquaintance, through an infomercial, or via the Internet.  The popularity of the

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Service Providers May Not Be Liable for Some TCPA Violations

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Class action complaints alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) are on the rise.  This is particularly true with respect to short message service (“SMS”) or text message marketing.  The TCPA is a “strict liability” statute.  This means that a violation of the TCPA imposes liability on the offender regardless of intent.  Many

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FTC Settles Case Against Prepaid Phone Cards

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A case the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has been investigating for more than two (2) years was settled last month.  For several years, the FTC received numerous complaints that prepaid phone cards sold by DR Phone Communications, Inc., also doing business as drphonecom.com (“DR Phone”), contained far fewer long distance phone minutes than were advertised. 

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Recent Lawsuits Over Personally Identifiable Information

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Lawsuits concerning alleged misuse of personally identifiable information (“PII”) are on the rise.  According to the United States General Services Administration, PII “refers to information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information that is linked or linkable to a specific

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