Federal Trade Commission v. Age of Learning, Inc.

Filing 10

STIPULATED ORDER FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND MONETARY JUDGMENT by Judge Stephen V. Wilson, in favor of Federal Trade Commission against Age of Learning, Inc. in the principal amount of $10,000,000.00, Related to: Stipulation for Permanent Injunction, Stipulation for Judgment, #4 (See document for details) (MD JS-6. Case Terminated). (mrgo)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 JS-6 11 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2:20-cv-7996 Case No. ____________ FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, Plaintiff, STIPULATED ORDER FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND MONETARY JUDGMENT v. AGE OF LEARNING, INC., a corporation, also d/b/a ABCmouse and ABCmouse.com, 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Defendant. Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”), filed its Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (“Complaint”) for a permanent injunction and other equitable relief in this matter, pursuant to Sections 13(b) and 19 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTC Act”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b), 57b, and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -1- 1 2 3 4 5 (“ROSCA”), 15 U.S.C. § 8404. The Commission and Defendant stipulate to the entry of this Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment (“Order”) to resolve all matters in dispute in this action between them. THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows: FINDINGS 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 A. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter. B. The Complaint alleges that Defendant participated in deceptive and unfair acts or practices in violation of Sections 13(b) and 19 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 53(b), 57b, and ROSCA, 15 U.S.C. § 8404, in the advertisement, marketing, distribution, and sale of online educational programs to consumers throughout the United States. C. Complaint, except as specifically stated in this Order. Only for purposes of this action, Defendant admits the facts necessary to establish jurisdiction. D. 23 24 25 26 27 Defendant waives any claim that it may have under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action through the date of this Order, and agrees to bear its own costs and attorney fees. E. Defendant waives all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this Order. DEFINITIONS 21 22 Defendant neither admits nor denies any of the allegations in the For the purpose of this Order, the following definitions apply: A. “Billing Information” means any data that enables any person to access a customer’s account, such as a credit card, checking, savings, share or similar account, utility bill, mortgage loan account, or debit card. B. “Charge,” “Charged,” or “Charging” means any attempt to collect money or other consideration from a consumer, including causing Billing 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -2- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Information to be submitted for payment, including against the consumer’s credit card, debit card, bank account, telephone bill, or other account. C. “Clear(ly) and Conspicuous(ly)” means that a required disclosure is difficult to miss (i.e., easily noticeable) and easily understandable by ordinary consumers, including in all of the following ways: 1. In any communication that is solely visual or solely audible, the disclosure must be made through the same means through which the communication is presented. In any communication made through both visual and audible means, such as a television advertisement, the disclosure must be presented simultaneously in both the visual and audible portions of the communication even if the representation requiring the disclosure is made in only one means. 2. A visual disclosure, by its size, contrast, location, the length of time it appears, and other characteristics, must stand out from any accompanying text or other visual elements so that it is easily noticed, read, and understood. 3. An audible disclosure, including by telephone or streaming video, must be delivered in a volume, speed, and cadence sufficient for ordinary consumers to easily hear and understand it. 4. In any communication using an interactive electronic medium, such as the Internet or software, the disclosure must be unavoidable. 5. The disclosure must use diction and syntax understandable to ordinary consumers and must appear in each language in which the representation that requires the disclosure appears. 6. The disclosure must comply with these requirements in each medium through which it is received, including all electronic devices and face-toface communications. 7. The disclosure must not be contradicted or mitigated by, or inconsistent with, anything else in the communication. STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -3- 1 8. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 When the representation or sales practice targets a specific audience, such as children, the elderly, or the terminally ill, “ordinary consumers” includes reasonable members of that group. D. “Defendant” means Age Of Learning, Inc., a corporation, which also does business as ABCmouse and ABCmouse.com, as well as any successors and assigns. E. “Negative Option Feature” means, in an offer or agreement to sell or provide any good or service, a provision under which the consumer’s silence or failure to take affirmative action to reject a good or service or to cancel the agreement is interpreted by the seller or provider as acceptance or continuing acceptance of the offer. F. “Telemarketing” means any plan, program, or campaign which is conducted to induce the purchase of goods or services by use of one or more telephones, and which involves a telephone call, whether or not covered by the Telemarketing Sales Rule. ORDER 17 I. 18 RELATED TO NEGATIVE OPTIONS 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PROHIBITION AGAINST MISREPRESENTATIONS IT IS ORDERED that Defendant, Defendant’s officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with promoting or offering for sale any good or service with a Negative Option Feature, are permanently restrained and enjoined from misrepresenting, expressly or by implication: A. Any cost to the consumer to purchase, receive, use, or return the initial good or service; B. That the consumer will not be Charged for any good or service; STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -4- 1 C. 2 3 4 5 6 7 “bonus,” “gift,” “no obligation,” “discounted,” “upgraded” basis, or words of similar import, denoting or implying the absence of an obligation on the part of the recipient of the offer to affirmatively act in order to avoid Charges, including where a Charge will be assessed pursuant to the offer unless the consumer takes affirmative steps to prevent or stop such a Charge; D. 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 E. Any purpose for which the consumer’s Billing Information will be F. The date by which the consumer will incur any obligation or be used; Charged unless the consumer takes an affirmative action on the Negative Option Feature; G. That a transaction has been authorized by the consumer; H. Any material aspect of the nature or terms of a refund, cancellation, exchange, or repurchase policy for the good or service, including whether it is easy for consumers to cancel Defendant’s good or service; or I. Any other material fact. II. REQUIRED DISCLOSURES RELATING TO NEGATIVE OPTION FEATURES 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 That the consumer can obtain a good or service for a processing, service, shipping, handling, or administrative fee with no further obligation; 10 11 That a good or service is offered on a “free,” “trial,” “sample,” IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant, Defendant’s officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with promoting or offering for sale any good or service with a Negative Option Feature, are permanently restrained and enjoined from: A. Representing directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, that any good or service that includes a Negative Option Feature is being offered on a STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -5- 1 2 3 4 free, trial, no obligation, reduced, upgraded, or discounted basis, or for a specific term, without disclosing Clearly and Conspicuously, and immediately adjacent to, any such representation: 1. 5 6 7 action to avoid any Charges: a) for the offered good or service, b) of an increased amount after the trial or promotional period ends, and c) on a recurring basis; 2. 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The total cost (or range of costs) the consumer will be Charged and, if applicable, the frequency of such Charges unless the consumer timely takes steps to prevent or stop such Charges; and 3. 11 12 The extent to which the consumer must take any affirmative The deadline(s) (by date or frequency) by which the consumer must affirmatively act in order to stop all recurring Charges. B. Obtaining Billing Information from a consumer for any transaction involving a good or service that includes a Negative Option Feature, without first disclosing Clearly and Conspicuously, and immediately adjacent to where a consumer provides Billing Information: 1. The extent to which the consumer must take affirmative action to avoid any Charges: a) for the offered good or service, b) of an increased amount after the trial or promotional period ends, and c) on a recurring basis; 2. The total cost (or range of costs) the consumer will be Charged, the date the initial Charge will be submitted for payment, and, if applicable, the frequency of such Charges unless the consumer timely takes affirmative steps to prevent or stop such Charges; 3. The deadline(s) (by date or frequency) by which the consumer must affirmatively act in order to stop all recurring Charges; 4. The name of the seller or provider of the good or service and, if the name of the seller or provider will not appear on billing statements, the billing descriptor that will appear on such statements; STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -6- 1 5. 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Any Charge or cost for which the consumer is responsible in connection with the cancellation of an order, any service or the return of any good; and 7. 6 7 A description of the good or service; 6. 2 The simple cancellation mechanism to stop any recurring Charges, as required by Section IV of this Order. C. Failing to send the consumer: 1. Immediately after the consumer’s submission of an online order, written confirmation of the transaction by email. The email must Clearly and Conspicuously disclose all the information required by Subsection B, and contain a subject line reading “Order Confirmation” along with the name of the good or service, which may read, “Welcome to ABCmouse! Order confirmation,” and no additional information; or 2. Within 2 days after receipt of the consumer’s order by mail or telephone, a written confirmation of the transaction, either by email or first class mail. The email or letter must Clearly and Conspicuously disclose all the information required by Subsection B. The subject line of the email must Clearly and Conspicuously state “Order Confirmation” along with the name of the good or service, and nothing else. The outside of the envelope must Clearly and Conspicuously state “Order Confirmation” along with the name of the product or service, and no additional information other than the consumer’s address, the Defendant’s return address, and postage. III. OBTAINING EXPRESS INFORMED CONSENT FOR A NEGATIVE OPTION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant, Defendant’s officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -7- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 or indirectly, in connection with promoting or offering for sale any good or service with a Negative Option Feature, are permanently restrained and enjoined from using Billing Information to obtain payment from a consumer, unless Defendant first obtains the express informed consent of the consumer to do so. To obtain express informed consent, Defendant must: A. web-based application), obtain consent through a check box, signature, or other substantially similar method, which the consumer must affirmatively select or sign to accept the Negative Option Feature, and no other portion of the offer. Defendant shall disclose Clearly and Conspicuously, and immediately adjacent to such check box, signature, or substantially similar method of affirmative consent, only the following, with no additional information: 1. 14 15 16 19 after the trial or promotional period ends, and c) on a recurring basis; 2. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The total cost (or range of costs) the consumer will be Charged and, if applicable, the frequency of such Charges unless the consumer timely takes affirmative steps to prevent or stop such Charges; and 3. 20 21 The extent to which the consumer must take affirmative action to avoid any Charges: a) for the offered good or service, b) of an increased amount 17 18 For all written offers (including over the Internet, such as through a The deadline(s) (by date or frequency) by which the consumer must affirmatively act in order to stop all recurring Charges. B. For all oral offers, prior to obtaining any Billing Information from the consumer: 1. Clearly and Conspicuously disclose the information contained in Subsection B of the Section titled Required Disclosures Relating To Negative Option Features; and 2. Obtain affirmative unambiguous express oral confirmation that the consumer: a) consents to being Charged for any good or service, including STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -8- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 providing, at a minimum, the last 4 digits of the consumer’s account number to be Charged, b) understands that the transaction includes a Negative Option Feature, and c) understands the specific affirmative steps the consumer must take to prevent or stop further Charges. C. maintain for 3 years from the date of each transaction an unedited voice recording of the entire transaction, including the prescribed statements set out in Subsection B of this Section. Each recording must be retrievable by date and by the consumer’s name, telephone number, or Billing Information, and must be provided upon request to the consumer, the consumer’s bank, or any law enforcement entity. IV. 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 SIMPLE MECHANISM TO CANCEL NEGATIVE OPTION FEATURE 13 14 For transactions conducted through Telemarketing, Defendant shall IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant, Defendant’s officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with promoting or offering for sale any good or service with a Negative Option Feature, are permanently restrained and enjoined from: A. Failing to provide a simple mechanism for the consumer to: (1) avoid being Charged, or Charged an increased amount, for the good or service and (2) immediately stop any recurring Charges. Such mechanism must not be difficult, costly, confusing, or time consuming, and must be at least as simple as the mechanism the consumer used to initiate the Charge(s). B. For consumers who entered into the agreement to purchase a good or service including a Negative Option Feature over the Internet, such as through a web-based application, Defendant must provide a mechanism, accessible on the same Internet website or through the same web-based application that consumers 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER -9- 1 2 3 can easily use to cancel the product or service and to immediately stop all further Charges. C. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 For consumers who entered into the agreement to purchase a good or service including a Negative Option Feature through an oral offer and acceptance, Defendant must maintain a telephone number and a postal address that consumers can easily use to cancel the product or service and to immediately stop all further Charges. Defendant must assure that all calls to this telephone number are answered during normal business hours and that mail to the postal address is read regularly. V. 11 A. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MONETARY JUDGMENT Judgment in the amount of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) is entered in favor of the Commission against Defendant, as equitable monetary relief. B. Defendant is ordered to pay the Commission Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), which as Defendant stipulates, its undersigned counsel holds in escrow for no purpose other than payment to the Commission. Such payment must be made within 7 days of entry of this Order by electronic fund transfer in accordance with instructions previously provided by a representative of the Commission. C. Defendant relinquishes dominion and all legal and equitable right, title, and interest in all assets transferred pursuant to this Order and may not seek the return of any assets. D. The facts alleged in the Complaint will be taken as true, without further proof, in any subsequent civil litigation by or on behalf of the Commission, including in a proceeding to enforce its rights to any payment or monetary judgment pursuant to this Order, such as a nondischargeability complaint in any bankruptcy case. STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 10 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 E. The facts alleged in the Complaint establish all elements necessary to sustain an action by the Commission pursuant to Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A), and this Order will have collateral estoppel effect for such purposes. F. Defendant acknowledges that its Taxpayer Identification Number (Employer Identification Number), which Defendant previously submitted to the Commission, may be used for collecting and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of this Order, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. §7701. G. All money paid to the Commission pursuant to this Order may be deposited into a fund administered by the Commission or its designee to be used for equitable relief, including consumer redress and any attendant expenses for the administration of any redress fund. If a representative of the Commission decides that direct redress to consumers is wholly or partially impracticable or money remains after redress is completed, the Commission may apply any remaining money for such other equitable relief (including consumer information remedies) as it determines to be reasonably related to Defendant’s practices alleged in the Complaint. Any money not used for such equitable relief is to be deposited to the U.S. Treasury as disgorgement. Defendant has no right to challenge any actions the Commission or its representatives may take pursuant to this Subsection. VI. CUSTOMER INFORMATION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant, Defendant’s officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly are permanently restrained and enjoined from directly or indirectly failing to provide sufficient customer information to enable the Commission to efficiently administer consumer redress. If a representative of the Commission 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 11 - 1 2 3 requests in writing any information related to redress, Defendant must provide it, in the form prescribed by the Commission, within 14 days. VII. ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant obtains acknowledgments of receipt of this Order: A. Defendant, within 7 days of entry of this Order, must submit to the Commission an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under penalty of perjury. B. For 5 years after entry of this Order, Defendant must deliver a copy of this Order to: (1) all principals, officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, and representatives having managerial responsibilities for conduct related to the subject matter of the Order; and (3) any business entity resulting from any change in structure as set forth in the Section titled Compliance Reporting. Delivery must occur within 7 days of entry of this Order for current personnel. For all others, delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities. C. From each individual or entity to which Defendant delivered a copy of this Order, Defendant must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of this Order. VIII. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 COMPLIANCE REPORTING IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant make timely submissions to the Commission: A. One year after entry of this Order, Defendant must submit a compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury. Defendant must: 1. identify the primary physical, postal, and email address and telephone number, as designated points of contact, which representatives of the Commission may use to communicate with Defendant; STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 12 - 1 2. 2 3 telephone numbers, and physical, postal, email, and Internet addresses; 3. 4 5 4. 10 11 12 describe in detail whether and how Defendant is in compliance with each Section of this Order; and 5. 8 9 describe the activities of each business, including the goods and services offered, the means of advertising, marketing, and sales; 6 7 identify all of Defendant’s businesses by all of their names, provide a copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained pursuant to this Order, unless previously submitted to the Commission. B. For 20 years after entry of this Order, Defendant must submit a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days of any change in the following: 1. 14 any designated point of contact; or 2. 13 the structure of Defendant or any entity that Defendant has any 15 ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that may affect compliance 16 obligations arising under this Order, including: creation, merger, sale, or 17 dissolution of the entity or any subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any 18 acts or practices subject to this Order. 19 C. Defendant must submit to the Commission notice of the filing of any 20 bankruptcy petition, insolvency proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against 21 Defendant within 14 days of its filing. 22 D. Any submission to the Commission required by this Order to be 23 sworn under penalty of perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 24 U.S.C. § 1746, such as by concluding: “I declare under penalty of perjury under 25 the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. 26 Executed on: _____” and supplying the date, signatory’s full name, title (if 27 applicable), and signature. 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 13 - 1 E. 2 3 4 5 6 7 Unless otherwise directed by a Commission representative in writing, all submissions to the Commission pursuant to this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or sent by overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580. The subject line must begin: FTC v. Age Of Learning, Inc., FTC Matter No. 1723186. IX. 8 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant must create certain records 9 10 11 for 20 years after entry of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years. Specifically, Defendant must create and retain the following records: A. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Accounting records showing the revenues from all goods or services B. 12 13 Personnel records showing, for each person providing services, sold; whether as an employee or otherwise, that person’s: name; addresses; telephone numbers; job title or position; dates of service; and (if applicable) the reason for termination; C. 26 27 28 Records of all consumer complaints and refund requests, whether received directly or indirectly, such as through a third party, and any response; D. All records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision of this Order, including all submissions to the Commission; and E. A copy of all websites, advertisements and other marketing materials that Defendant has reviewed to ensure compliance with this Order. X. 24 25 RECORDKEEPING COMPLIANCE MONITORING IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring Defendant’s compliance with this Order: A. Within 14 days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the Commission, Defendant must: submit additional compliance reports or other STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 14 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 requested information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury; appear for depositions; and produce documents for inspection and copying. The Commission is also authorized to obtain discovery, without further leave of court, using any of the procedures prescribed by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 29, 30 (including telephonic depositions), 31, 33, 34, 36, 45, and 69. B. For matters concerning this Order, the Commission is authorized to communicate directly with Defendant. Defendant must permit representatives of the Commission to interview any employee or other person affiliated with Defendant who has agreed to such an interview. The person interviewed may have counsel present. C. The Commission may use all other lawful means, including posing, through its representatives as consumers, suppliers, or other individuals or entities, to Defendant or any individual or entity affiliated with Defendant, without the necessity of identification or prior notice. Nothing in this Order limits the Commission’s lawful use of compulsory process, pursuant to Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49, 57b-1. XI. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Court retains jurisdiction of this matter for purposes of construction, modification, and enforcement of this Order. 8th September 20 SO ORDERED this _____ day of ________________, 20___. 23 24 25 ______________________________________ UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 26 27 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 15 - 1 SO STIPULATED AND AGREED: 2 3 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ______________________________________ Matthew H. Wernz Joannie T. Wei Federal Trade Commission, Midwest Region 230 South Dearborn Street, Suite 3030 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: 312-960-5596 (Wernz) Phone: 312-960-5607 (Wei) Fax: 312-960-5600 mwernz@ftc.gov jwei@ftc.gov Attorneys for Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission Date: __________ 14 15 FOR DEFENDANT: 16 17 18 ______________________________________ Jacob S. Kreilkamp Munger Tolles & Ols n LLP August 10, Date: __________2020 19 20 21 22 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Phone: 213-683-9260 Fax: 213-593-2960 Jacob.Kreilkamp@mto.com Attorney for Defendant Age of Learning, Inc. 23 24 August 10, 2 ______________________ Date: __________020 25 ____ __________________________________ Sh Castellani ll i 26 Shannon C General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Compliance, Age of Learning, Inc. 27 28 STIPULATED FINAL ORDER - 16 -

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