As we have previously discussed, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) recently issued a Declaratory Ruling (“Declaratory Ruling”) that, among other things, likely exposes companies to even greater liability under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”).

The TCPA regulates communications, from companies to their consumers, that utilize an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”). 

One of the most complex issues under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is determining whether the technology utilized qualifies as an “automatic telephone dialing system” (ATDS) or “autodialer.”  The TCPA prohibits using an ATDS to make calls to cell phone numbers, absent prior consent of the called party.  An ATDS  is generally define as