The Bottom Line While parties to a contract may develop an understanding of their agreement based on discussions during contract negotiations, under New York law, a court should not consider evidence of that understanding if the ultimate agreement is unambiguous.As reaffirmed by the recent Continue Reading
“Dialing It Back?” Federal Courts Weigh in on “Autodialers” After Appeals Court Strikes Down FCC Interpretation of TCPA
The Bottom Line In the aftermath of the DC Circuit's ruling striking down the FCC's interpretations of what constitutes an ATDS under the TCPA, ambiguity abounds. While the Herrick ruling represents a very positive development for marketers and their agencies, the Reyes ruling demonstrates that Continue Reading
New Jersey Supreme Court Rejects No-Harm TCCWNA Claims, Dealing Blow to Consumer Class Actions Under the Act
The Bottom Line The New Jersey Supreme Court's recent holding is expected to eliminate no-harm class actions under the TCCWNA. Violations of the statute, unaccompanied by any injury to the consumer, will no longer be sufficient to support a claim. The need for class action plaintiffs to prove Continue Reading
Recent Cases Highlight “Digital Assets” As A New Frontier in Estate Planning and Litigation
The Bottom Line New York State's EPTL now includes a provision that clarifies how matters involving digital assets are handled in estate administration. The full scope of the Act’s implications has yet to play out, but digital assets will undoubtedly affect estate planning and litigation matters Continue Reading
Enhancing the Likelihood of Enforcement of a Forum Selection Clause in an Online Contract
The Bottom Line Companies that include a forum selection clause in an online contract should make sure that they reasonably communicate the forum selection clause to their customers and vendors. Best practices include: (i) providing on an uncluttered screen a direct hyperlink to the terms and Continue Reading
No Harm, No Foul? Individualized Consent Issues Sink TCPA Class Action
The Bottom Line The Northern District of Illinois' practical approach to analyzing whether lack of consent gives rise to actionable harm under the TCPA, and whether this issue can truly be determined on a class-wide basis, may represent a significant victory for businesses that rely heavily on Continue Reading
Battling the Real “Fake News”: FTC Reaches Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with Internet Marketers for False Celebrity Endorsements
The Bottom Line The FTC's settlement with the Defendants allegedly engaged in these deceptive marketing practices serves as a reminder that the parties responsible for online advertising using public figures’ names and images without authorization can be identified and stopped, and that those Continue Reading
Appeals Court Enforces Arbitration Clause in Hyperlinked Terms & Conditions
The Bottom Line The Second Circuit’s Meyer decision reaffirms the importance of well-crafted terms and conditions for companies interacting with consumers over the Internet and via mobile apps, and that for those terms to be enforceable, access to them must be presented in a manner clear Continue Reading
ADA Requires Online Businesses To Make Their Websites Usable By The Disabled
The Bottom Line Businesses with an online presence, and those agencies designing and building websites for businesses who sell goods and/or services online, should review their websites for ADA compliance. Companies should further explore technology available to make their websites accessible to Continue Reading
Possibility Defeats Practicality: Federal Court of Appeals Limits Class Action Defense Regarding Infeasibility of Ascertaining Class Members
The Bottom Line Given the split among several courts of appeal, Petrobras will not be the last word on ascertainability in class action suits. Indeed, this fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a petition for certiorari regarding the certification of a plaintiff class allegedly lacking Continue Reading