Consumer-Related Legal Issues
Information from About Guides and partners relating to Consumer-Related Legal Issues
US judge pokes hole in file-sharing lawsuit
(News) Legal experts say a recent U.S. court ruling could force the music industry to provide more evidence against people accused of illegal file sharing.
(News) Legal experts say a recent U.S. court ruling could force the music industry to provide more evidence against people accused of illegal file sharing.
Computer financing firms settle FTC charges
(News) Two related companies that offer to finance the purchase of PCs to consumers with poor credit ratings have agreed to pay up to US$5 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that they violated a federal lending law and sometimes failed to deliver the computers, the FTC said.
(News) Two related companies that offer to finance the purchase of PCs to consumers with poor credit ratings have agreed to pay up to US$5 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that they violated a federal lending law and sometimes failed to deliver the computers, the FTC said.
Court Bars company From Online Sale of Phone Records
(News) A Web-based information broker has been ordered to stop selling telephone records without owners' consent and to turn over nearly $200,000 in profits.
(News) A Web-based information broker has been ordered to stop selling telephone records without owners' consent and to turn over nearly $200,000 in profits.
Ten Tips for Hassle-Free Tech Merchandise Returns
(How To) Retailers often play by different rules in accepting electronics returns. Here are some tips to help you navigate the tricky world of returns, exchanges, and warranties.
(How To) Retailers often play by different rules in accepting electronics returns. Here are some tips to help you navigate the tricky world of returns, exchanges, and warranties.
FTC charges payment company in $200M fraud
(News) The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed charges against a payment processing company, accusing it of attempting to debit consumers' bank accounts for up to $200 million on behalf of dishonest merchants.
(News) The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed charges against a payment processing company, accusing it of attempting to debit consumers' bank accounts for up to $200 million on behalf of dishonest merchants.
Connecticut revenue agency reports missing laptop
(News) Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell has ordered the state's IT agency to implement new controls for protecting sensitive data on laptops after a recent theft exposed data on 106,000 taxpayers in the state.
(News) Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell has ordered the state's IT agency to implement new controls for protecting sensitive data on laptops after a recent theft exposed data on 106,000 taxpayers in the state.
VOIP woes: Losing service without warning
(News) On Monday evening, my wife reached me on my mobile phone. She was spending a long weekend with her family in Maine.
(News) On Monday evening, my wife reached me on my mobile phone. She was spending a long weekend with her family in Maine.
Company Shutdown Sparks Consumer-Rebate Horror Show
(News) Things get ugly for Buy.com customers when rebates go missing.
(News) Things get ugly for Buy.com customers when rebates go missing.
Airline Passenger Code of Conduct, Part 1
(How To) Should airlines stop passengers from viewing offensive material on their laptops--or look the other way?
(How To) Should airlines stop passengers from viewing offensive material on their laptops--or look the other way?
New York says Dell defrauded PC buyers
(News) The New York attorney general has filed a lawsuit charging that Dell Inc. used fraud and false advertising to increase profits on PC sales.
(News) The New York attorney general has filed a lawsuit charging that Dell Inc. used fraud and false advertising to increase profits on PC sales.
California sues computer trainer over tuition refunds
(News) The State of California on Monday filed suit against a defunct computer training school for closing its doors without refunding to students US$2.5 million in tuition fees for courses they were never able to take.
(News) The State of California on Monday filed suit against a defunct computer training school for closing its doors without refunding to students US$2.5 million in tuition fees for courses they were never able to take.
France bans citizen journalists from reporting violence
(News) The French Constitutional Council has approved a law that criminalizes the filming or broadcasting of acts of violence by people other than professional journalists. The law could lead to the imprisonment of eyewitnesses who film acts of police violence, or operators of Web sites publishing the images, one French civil liberties group warned on Tuesday.
(News) The French Constitutional Council has approved a law that criminalizes the filming or broadcasting of acts of violence by people other than professional journalists. The law could lead to the imprisonment of eyewitnesses who film acts of police violence, or operators of Web sites publishing the images, one French civil liberties group warned on Tuesday.
FTC sets deadline for filing SkyBiz.com claims
(News) Consumers harmed by a pyramid-scheme scam at SkyBiz.com have until the end of March to file claims through a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced.
(News) Consumers harmed by a pyramid-scheme scam at SkyBiz.com have until the end of March to file claims through a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced.
User Pressure Spurs Microsoft to Revise Antipiracy Program
(news) User Pressure Spurs Microsoft to Revise Antipiracy Program
(news) User Pressure Spurs Microsoft to Revise Antipiracy Program
Lemon-Law Rights for PC Owners
(howto) If repeated warranty repairs don't fix your ailing system, do you have further recourse?
(howto) If repeated warranty repairs don't fix your ailing system, do you have further recourse?
N.Y. Attorney General Prods AOL on Cancellation Policies
(news) N.Y. Attorney General Prods AOL on Cancellation Policies
(news) N.Y. Attorney General Prods AOL on Cancellation Policies
Tech.gov: The Computer Ate My Vote
(news) As critical voices grow louder, and Congress takes note, should you be concerned about the security of electronic voting machines come November?
(news) As critical voices grow louder, and Congress takes note, should you be concerned about the security of electronic voting machines come November?
Online Lotteries: Risky Business?
(news) It's easy to play Powerball over the Internet, but its legality remains a gamble.
(news) It's easy to play Powerball over the Internet, but its legality remains a gamble.
Rebate Roulette
(howto) Still waiting for that check in the mail? Here's the ugly truth about rebates--and how to steer clear of the gotchas.
(howto) Still waiting for that check in the mail? Here's the ugly truth about rebates--and how to steer clear of the gotchas.
Clock Ticks on Microsoft Rebate
(news) Californians are urged to file claims for $1.1 billion court settlement.
(news) Californians are urged to file claims for $1.1 billion court settlement.
On Your Side: Bankruptcy Ends Rebate Promises
(howto) Laplink Incorporated customers left in the lurch by bankrupt company lose out on rebate.
(howto) Laplink Incorporated customers left in the lurch by bankrupt company lose out on rebate.
Epson Faces Consumer Suits
(news) Complaints in three states claim printer vendor cuts off ink cartridges before they're empty.
(news) Complaints in three states claim printer vendor cuts off ink cartridges before they're empty.
Beware Mystery Fees for Web Services
(news) Web firms face investigations of 'cramming'--charging via telcos for unordered services.
(news) Web firms face investigations of 'cramming'--charging via telcos for unordered services.
Intel, PC Makers Sued Over P4 Performance
(news) Customers seek class action status in charge that vendors misrepresented the power of Intel's top chip.
(news) Customers seek class action status in charge that vendors misrepresented the power of Intel's top chip.