Giovanniello v. ALM MEDIA, LLC
660 F.3d 587
2d Cir.2011Background
- TCPA private action allowed only if ‘otherwise permitted by the laws or rules of court of a State.’
- Connecticut statute Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570c(d) limits private actions for unsolicited faxes to within two years of transmission.
- Giovanniello received the January 28, 2004 fax in Connecticut; he filed the federal TCPA action September 8, 2009 (fourth filing).
- District court dismissed as untimely under Connecticut two-year limit; district court did not resolve whether § 52-570c(d) applied.
- Majority holds Connecticut law controls the tolling and timeliness under § 52-570c(d); TCPA action untimely under CT law.
- Concurring Judge Wallace contends the federal four-year period should apply and tolling considerations, not CT two-year limit, control.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether state limitations apply to TCPA actions | Giovanniello argues §1658(a) governs. | ALM argues state law governs under §227(b)(3). | State limitations govern unless preempted by federal law. |
| Whether Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570c(d) is the applicable limit for this TCPA claim | Connecticut tolling may apply; §52-570c(d) should permit timely filing. | Connecticut two-year limit applies to unsolicited fax claims. | Yes; the two-year Connecticut limit controls for this TCPA action. |
Key Cases Cited
- Bonime v. Avaya, Inc., 547 F.3d 497 (2d Cir. 2008) (TCPA 'otherwise permitted' limits state-law control over federal claim)
- Holster v. Gatco, Inc., 618 F.3d 214 (2d Cir. 2010) (state-centered interpretation of 'otherwise permitted' limits TCPA actions)
- Jones v. R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., 541 U.S. 369 (U.S. 2004) (broad interpretation of §1658(a) to apply four-year period for post-1990 Acts)
- Foxhall Realty Law Offices, Inc. v. Telecommunications Premium Servs., Ltd., 156 F.3d 432 (2d Cir. 1998) (existence of private TCPA action could vary by state; states may opt in/out)
- Gottlieb v. Carnival Corp., 436 F.3d 335 (2d Cir. 2006) (TCPA action treated as effectively state-law issue in diversity contexts)
- Holster v. Gatco, Inc., 618 F.3d 214 (2d Cir. 2010) (as-permitted approach to TCPA under state law; legislative history support)