| Volume 100 Number 3 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Immediately review your bank statements and returned checks for forgeries. Promptly report any problems to your bank. A short delay may cost you your legal rights.
For more general information about the law, check out my website.
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FTC Sues Amazon for Illegal Billing
You could be getting a refund from Amazon.
On Thursday, federal regulators announced a lawsuit against Amazon for illegally charging parents for their kids' gaming purchases. According to the Federal Trade Commission complaint, Amazon violated federal law by allowing kids to purchase virtual items in Kindle Fire games without parental consent.
Internal documents demonstrate Amazon's awareness of the problem. That is, by allowing purchases to take place without password protection, Amazon's system gave children the ability to make unlimited purchases without any identification.
Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission settled a similar case with Apple for $32.5 million.
The lawsuit seeks full refunds for affected accounts.
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Senate Moves to OK Unlocked Cell Phones
In 2012, a Library of Congress decision made the unlocking of a cell phone a violation of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Today, consumers are closer to being able to take their cell phones to any provider they choose.
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to approve a bill that would repeal the Library of Congress decision and thus allow consumers to take their phones with them when they switch providers.
When will you be able to legally unlock your cellphone for use on another carrier?
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Your Money
How much should you put down for a new home?
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For the Lawyers
Unconscionability is a question of law and an unconscionable provision may be severed from an arbitration agreement.
The Texas Supreme Court held that a provision in an arbitration clause waiving the Deceptive Trade Practices Act was unconscionable, but the clause was otherwise enforceable. The unconscionable provision could be severed from the arbitration clause.
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