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Brief Of Amicus Curiae — U.S. States Jan 2004

Brief Of Amicus Curiae — U.S. States

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

America is frustrated with telemarketing. To help individuals reclaim a measure of peace and privacy in their homes, the States and, later, the federal agencies had to step in. On behalf of the fifty-one million individuals who have registered on the national do-not-call (“DNC”) list, Amici Curiae California, Colorado, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, …


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Tim Searcy Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Tim Searcy

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Senators, thank you for giving me this opportunity to testify before you today, on a matter of great importance to U.S. consumers, and business alike: the formation of a federal Do Not Call Registry. I am the Executive Director of the American Teleservices Association, which is the largest and only association dedicated exclusively to the interests of the teleservices industry. We are enjoying our twentieth anniversary this year, and represent approximately 650 rms involved in the teleservices industry. Our membership is tremendously diverse, and encompasses all aspects of telemarketing, customer service, market research, political calling, non- profit fundraising and technical …


Defendant’S Brief — Federal Trade Commission Jan 2004

Defendant’S Brief — Federal Trade Commission

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Plaintiff/petitioner telemarketers brought these actions challenging the FTC’s and FCC’s joint implementation of a nationwide do-not-call registry. The FTC created the registry as part of its Telemarketing Sales Rule. The Rule prohibits tele- marketers and sellers from calling phone numbers that consumers have listed on the registry. Subsequently, the FCC amended its rules implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), 47 U.S.C. § 227, to prohibit persons from mak- ing telephone solicitations to residential telephone subscribers who have registered their telephone numbers on the registry. Since June 27, 2003, when the registry opened, consumers have registered more than 50 million …


Introduction: Contains Cover, Table Of Contents, Letter From The Editor, And Masthead, Edwin E. Wallis Iii Jan 2004

Introduction: Contains Cover, Table Of Contents, Letter From The Editor, And Masthead, Edwin E. Wallis Iii

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

On behalf of the 2003-2004 Editorial Board, I would like to welcome you to the fourth issue of the Richmond Journal of Law & Technology’s 2003-2004 publication term! Issue 4 is the world’s rst collection of Do Not Call List materials compiled in a single law review issue. Issue 4 contains several preexisting materials, including Congressional testimony, party briefs, and amicus briefs for the Do Not Call List appeal before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, in additional to original scholarly articles prepared speci cally for the Journal.


Telemarketing Sales Rule Commentary — Cox Enterprises, Inc. Jan 2004

Telemarketing Sales Rule Commentary — Cox Enterprises, Inc.

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Cox Enterprises, Inc. (“CEI” or “Cox”) hereby submits these comments in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to the proposed amendment of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (the “TSR” or “Rule”). Cox welcomes this opportunity to comment on the proposed amended Rule, and strongly supports the efforts of the FTC to protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive telemarketing.


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Lee Hammond Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Lee Hammond

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

My name is Lee Hammond and I am a member of AARP’s Board of Directors. On behalf of AARP and its thirty- ve million members, thank you for inviting us here this morning to discuss the importance of implementing and enforcing the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) national Do Not Call registry. AARP’s members have been among the millions of Americans who have taken the initiative to place their phone numbers into the Registry in an effort to reduce the amount of unwanted telemarketing calls. We share your indignation over recent court decisions to stymie this effort and we are here …


Brief Of Amici Curiae — Aca International Jan 2004

Brief Of Amici Curiae — Aca International

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

ACA International (“ACA”), formerly known as the American Collectors Association, Inc., is the international trade association for credit and collection professionals. ACA’s members provide a wide variety of accounts receivable management services. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ACA represents the interests of approximately 5,300 third-party collection agencies, attorneys, credit grantors and vendor affiliates.


Brief Of Amici Curiae – Representatives W.J. “Billy” Tauzin And John D. Dingell And Certain Other Members Of The House Of Representatives Of The United States Jan 2004

Brief Of Amici Curiae – Representatives W.J. “Billy” Tauzin And John D. Dingell And Certain Other Members Of The House Of Representatives Of The United States

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

In 1995, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) promulgated telemarketing rules that prohibit “a seller or telemarketer [of goods or services] from calling a consumer who has previously asked not to be called by or on behalf of that seller.” Earlier this year, the FTC amended its rules to make it easier for consumers to avoid telemarketing calls. Under the revised rule, commonly known as the “Do Not Call” rule, individuals can choose to prohibit all commercial telemarketing calls to their homes or cellular phones, with a limited exception for calls made pursuant to an established business relationship. The revised FTC …


Defendant’S Reply Brief — Federal Trade Commission Jan 2004

Defendant’S Reply Brief — Federal Trade Commission

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

The do-not-call registry is the product of concerted, measured efforts by Congress and two agencies over more than a decade. When Congress passed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), it recognized that the nature and volume of unwanted telemarketing had created significant intrusions into residential privacy that individuals were powerless to combat. Congress authorized creation of a do-not-call registry at that time, but gave the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) latitude to consider other options, such as requiring telemarketers to keep their own do-not-call lists.


Brief Of Amici Curiae — United States Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation Jan 2004

Brief Of Amici Curiae — United States Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

This Amicus Curiae Brief is respectfully filed by the undersigned members of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (“Committee”). Acting in our capacity on behalf of the United States government, we may file this Brief pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 29(a). The Committee exercises oversight responsibility for both the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). With the respect owed to a co-equal branch of government, we file this Brief to share with the Court our strongly-held views regarding the constitutional law issues in contest in this appeal and the vital public …


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Gerald Cerasale Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Gerald Cerasale

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. I thank you for the opportunity to appear before your Committee as it examines the issues surrounding the national Do-Not-Call Registry. I am Jerry Cerasale, Senior Vice President for The Direct Marketing Association, Inc. (“The DMA”).


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Michael K. Powell Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Michael K. Powell

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Good morning, Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee. It is my pleasure to come before you today with my colleague Federal Trade Commission Chairman Tim Muris to discuss the implementation of the national Do-Not-Call Registry.


Do Not Call: Abdicating And Ignoring Responsibility, Tim Searcy Jan 2004

Do Not Call: Abdicating And Ignoring Responsibility, Tim Searcy

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

I am not a lawyer, but for nearly a decade and a half, I have dealt with the issues that gave rise to the Federal Do Not Call Registry. Regardless of what you have read or seen, this issue did not just appear on the scene with the updating of the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule or the subsequent corollary changes made by the FCC in its rules implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). As a matter of fact, the original regulatory rulemaking by the FCC to implement the TCPA are over a decade old.


The Do-Not-Call List’S Big Hang-Up, Jared Strauss Jan 2004

The Do-Not-Call List’S Big Hang-Up, Jared Strauss

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

On October 1, 2003, the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do- Not-Call Registry was supposed to go into effect. By forbidding companies and telemarketers from making unsolicited calls to anyone who had registered their phone number on the list three months prior, this program culminated a decade’s worth of efforts to alleviate consumer frustration with unwanted sales calls. However, on September 27, 2003, the District of Colorado derailed the registry, holding that the rule made an unconstitutional distinction between commercial and noncommercial speech by covering commercial calls and exempting calls for charitable, religious, or political organizations.


Plaintiff’S Brief — Mainstream Marketing Services, Inc., Tmg Marketing, Inc. And American Teleservices Association Jan 2004

Plaintiff’S Brief — Mainstream Marketing Services, Inc., Tmg Marketing, Inc. And American Teleservices Association

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

This case is a cautionary tale about what happens when federal agencies allow perceived political imperatives to override legal and constitutional concerns.


Brief Of Amicus Curiae – American Association Of Retired Persons Jan 2004

Brief Of Amicus Curiae – American Association Of Retired Persons

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

AARP is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with more than 35 million members aged 50 and older. As the largest membership organization representing the interests of older Americans, AARP has a longstanding interest and involvement in combating telemarketing abuses and educating consumers about dealing with unwanted sales calls. While AARP’s concerns about telemarketing arose due to widespread fraudulent practices that targeted older persons (and those concerns continue), these initial concerns led to an expanded focus on effective means to reduce numerous, repeated intrusions into people’s homes by callers trying to sell myriad products and services. AARP thus has devoted significant resources …


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Timothy J. Muris Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Timothy J. Muris

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

As you know, the Commission adopted the Registry as one of the amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) announced December 18, 2003, and formally promulgated in the Federal Register on January 29, 2003. On March 11, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Do Not Call Implementation Act (DNCIA), which provides for the FTC to collect fees from sellers and telemarketers to fund the establishment and maintenance of the National Do Not Call Registry. Congress enacted this legislation, and provided complementary appropriations, to support the FTC’s decision to establish such a Registry (conditioned on funding) as part of its …


“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Rodney Smolla Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call-List” Testimony: Before The Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation, Rodney Smolla

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

I wish to thank the Committee for this opportunity to present testimony on the issues implicated by recent judicial rulings concerning the national telemarketing “Do Not Call” registry, developed by both the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission.


“Do-Not-Call List” Testimony: Before The House Committee On Energy And Commerce, Timothy J. Muris Jan 2004

“Do-Not-Call List” Testimony: Before The House Committee On Energy And Commerce, Timothy J. Muris

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

Mr. Chairman, I am Timothy J. Muris, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.1 I am pleased to appear today, on behalf of the Commission, to provide the Committee with information about our recently-announced amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR” or “Rule”). In particular, you have asked about our request for authority to collect fees to offset the costs of implementing the “do-not-call” amendments to the TSR. Our testimony provides an overview of the TSR amendment process, discussion of the do-not-call provisions, and an examination of the funding request. The do-not-call registry is an important aspect of the Commission’s ongoing …


Plaintiff’S Reply Brief — Mainstream Marketing Services, Inc., Tmg Marketing, Inc. And American Teleservices Association Jan 2004

Plaintiff’S Reply Brief — Mainstream Marketing Services, Inc., Tmg Marketing, Inc. And American Teleservices Association

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

The government’s assumption that commercial speech restrictions should be judged by the same standard as time, place or manner restrictions fails to accurately set forth the relevant burden of proof articulated in more recent commercial speech cases.


Telemarketing Sales Rule Comment For 16 Cfr Part 310 — American Association Of Retired Persons, David Certner Jan 2004

Telemarketing Sales Rule Comment For 16 Cfr Part 310 — American Association Of Retired Persons, David Certner

Richmond Journal of Law & Technology

AARP appreciates this opportunity to comment on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the Telemarketing Sales Rule (the Rule). AARP’s interest in the Telemarketing Sales Rule and concerns about telemarketing abuses are long- standing. Seven years ago we were active participants in the original rulemaking proceeding. Since the adoption of the Rule in 1995, AARP has dedicated signi cant resources to educating consumers about telemarketing fraud and to working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat it. We have also worked with state legislatures to enact state telemarketing legislation. The existing Rule …