Welch v. Jones, 770 F. Supp. 2d 1253

ShadowSoft/Public Data acquire Florida driver data in bulk; ShadowSoft sells data to Public Data which makes it available online to subscribers who certify permissible use under DPPA; 1999 start of Florida data purchases; 2009 memorandum of understanding governs ShadowSoft/Public Data; Welch, a Florida driver, claims DPPA violation and seeks declaratory/injunctive relief on behalf of a certified class; court conducts bench trial and holds no DPPA violation.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether Florida's disclosure to ShadowSoft violates the DPPA	Welch: disclosure is unlawful; private right of action.	State: disclosure fits §2721(b) uses; no DPPA violation.	No violation; disclosure falls within §2721(b).
Whether §2721(c) creates an extra exception outside §2721(b)	Disallow extra 2721(c) exception; separate from 2721(b).	There is no separate §2721(c) exception; unlawful unless §2721(b).	No separate §2721(c) exception; only §2721(b) governs disclosures.
Whether ShadowSoft/Public Data uses satisfy §2721(b) 'for use'	Bulk disclosure cannot be 'for use' since no 14 uses by ShadowSoft/Public Data.	Disclosure in bulk to verify identity and make data available to subscribers; falls within 2721(b)(3) and other grounds.	Yes; Public Data's uses render the disclosure 'for use' under §2721(b)(3) and related provisions.
Whether the state’s bulk disclosure to ShadowSoft is permissible for §2721(b) purposes despite downstream misuse risk	High risk of misuse undermines DPPA protections.	Public Data imposes safeguards (verification, penalties, records); risks acceptable under statute.	Permissible; safeguards and statutory language support 'for use'.

Taylor v. Acxiom Corp., 612 F.3d 325 (5th Cir. 2010) (bulk disclosures permissible if for use under DPPA)
Locate.Plus.Com, Inc. v. Iowa Dep't of Transp., 650 N.W.2d 609 (Iowa 2002) (DPPA interpretation of 'for use')