Underneath All Are the Contracts

Ralph Nader explains the problem with standard form contracts and introduces faircontracts.org.

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Alan Siegel: Let’s simplify legal jargon

Tax forms, credit agreements, healthcare legislation: They’re crammed with gobbledygook, says Alan Siegel, and incomprehensibly long. He calls for a simple, sensible redesign — and plain English — to make legal paperwork intelligible to the rest of us.http://www.ted.com/talks/alan_siegel_let_s_simplify_legal_jargon.html

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Wyoming Consumer Law

In Wyoming, the mini-FTC act is the Consumer Protection Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§40-12-101 to 40-12-114.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action only if a business knowingly committed an unlawful deceptive trade practice.  To sustain an action, the plaintiff must show actual harm due to the defendant’s conduct. There is a statute…

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Wisconsin Consumer Law

In Wisconsin, the mini-FTC act is Wis. Stat. Ann. §100.18; §§100.20- 100.264.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when a defendant violates a specific regulation by engaging in unfair trade practices, deceptive practices in advertising (except insurance companies) or other deceptive representations to the general public.  To sustain an action, the plaintiff…

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West Virginia Consumer Law

In West Virginia, the mini-FTC act is the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when anyone in the conduct of trade or commerce commits unfair or deceptive acts or practices or engages in unfair competition. To sustain an action, the plaintiff must show actual harm due…

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Washington State Consumer Law

In Washington, the mini-FTC act is the Washington Consumer Protection Act.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when anyone in trade or commerce engages in unfair competition or unfair or deceptive acts.  To sustain an action,  plaintiff must show actual harm due to the defendant’s conduct.  There is a statute of limitations…

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Virginia Consumer Law

In Virginia, the mini-FTC act is the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when a supplier misrepresents a product.  To sustain an action, the plaintiff must show actual harm due to the defendant’s conduct.  There is a statute of limitations for actions under the statute of two years….

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Vermont Consumer Law

In Vermont, the mini-FTC act is Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9, §§2451 through 2480n (Consumer Fraud Act).  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when businesses engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission Act.  To sustain an action for damages, the plaintiff must show actual…

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Utah Consumer Law

In Utah, the mini-FTC act is Utah Code Title 13, Chapter11 (Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act) and Utah Code Title 13, Chapter 11-a (Truth in Advertising).  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when a supplier knowingly or intentionally engages in “deceptive and unconscionable sales practices” or “deceptive, misleading, and false advertising practices.” …

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Texas Consumer Law

In Texas, the mini-FTC act is Texas Business & Commerce Code §§ 17.41 et seq.  Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when an individual conducting trade or commerce 1) engages in a false, misleading, or deceptive act or practice; 2) breaches an express or implied warranty; 3) engages in an unconscionable action…

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Tennessee Consumer Law

In Tennessee, the mini-FTC act is called the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, or T.C.A. § 47-18-101 et seq. Under this legislation, plaintiffs have a cause of action when any legal or commercial entity employs any “unfair or deceptive act or practice,” or employs one of many specifically defined unfair practices listed in the statute.  To…

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