The Czar can really pack a punch and when that guy speaks everyone listens (except Queenie, maybe).
Apropos, the top story in Law360’s Telecommunications law publication this morning was all about R.E.A.C.H.’s MASSIVELY IMPORTANT efforts to stave off elimination of the lead generation industry. (Law360 is a legal publication owned by Lexis Nexis that is read by over 2 million legal professionals!)
In an article entitled “FCC Plan Will Leave Thousands Jobless, Biz Groups Say” Law360 reported Nadia Dreid discusses the recent ex parte filing by R.E.A.C.H. in connection with its meetings with Commissioner Carr’s office:
Responsible Enterprises Against Consumer Harassment, or REACH, met with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s legal adviser Thursday to impress upon the agency what it sees as the dire consequences of doing away with the lead generation industry entirely, according to an ex parte filing made Friday.
The agency is faced with a “stark choice,” the group said in the attachments that came with its ex parte filing, which is to “shut down an industry employing tens of thousands of people or adopt clear standards for regulation.”
We sure did!
The Law360 piece also discusses the incredible R.E.A.C.H. standards correctly identifying the standards “call for “clear and transparent disclosure form standards,” clear information for consumers about who will be calling or texting them when they give out their information and a fraud detection system to make sure that only legal leads are being sold.”
Further, the article addresses the possibility that retroactive fines under the TCPA may be assessed for calls that have already been placed—if the proposal of the NCLC and Public Knowledge is adopted. And that would really be the worst possible outcome here.
Last Law360 focuses on the assertion that NCLC and Public Knowledge are pocketing millions from TCPA judgments and settlements, even as they advocate policies that encourage these lawsuits!!! The Czar has been very vocal about this issue—which nobody else has talked about—and this Law360 story is the first time another media outlet has picked up on the issue. That is real progress.
The Czar is absolutely incredible. His strategy for pushing back against the potential for overreach here is really paying off and the talking point about NCLC being, essentially, “on the take” is devastating to the credibility of that organization—at least in connection with their TCPA advocacy.
R.E.A.C.H. has more meetings set up with the Commission—including meetings with Commissioner Starks’ office today. But with the highly influential Law360 amplifying R.E.A.C.H.’s message it suddenly feels like industry has a fighting chance here. More to come.
For more information about R.E.A.C.H. and how to join the good fight — go to https://reachmbc.com/ or reach out to the Countess at Jenniffer@troutmanamin.com!
And for more information on the background here check out this incredible webinar breaking it down:
The team discusses the stakes in the new FCC NPRM! For more INCREDIBLY VALUABLE content be sure to follow our industry-leading YouTube channel now!