FCC Considers Changes to Do-Not-Call Registry
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) December 4, 2007, seeking comments from interested parties on the question of whether to amend the FCC’s Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) and more specifically, the extension of the National Do-Not-Call Registry registrations.
Currently, consumer registrations have a “shelf life” of five years; however, the FCC proposes to extend this period indefinitely for the purpose of minimizing “the inconvenience to consumers of having to re-register their preferences not to receive telemarketing calls and to further the underlying goal of the National Registry to protect consumer privacy rights.” See FCC-07-203. According to the FCC, approximately thirty million consumer do-not-call registrations will expire during the period between June-August, 2008.
Parties may follow the FCC’s permit-but-disclose ex parte procedures or may file written comments pursuant to 47 CFR § 1.415 and 1.419. All filings pertaining to this matter should refer to CG Docket No. 02-278. If you would like additional information on these issues and what they mean for your particular situation or business, or wish to discuss potential participation in the FCC's rulemaking proceeding, please feel free to contact us.