Hey TCPAWorld!

Countess here, bringing you an interesting case that I could not let pass…

In a recent filing in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, Plaintiff Cosby Siringi filed a class action against Defendant, God Is Dope, LLC, accusing the company of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Siringi claims that the divine inspiration behind the company’s name hasn’t quite extended to their text message marketing practices.

According to the complaint, God Is Dope, LLC, a company known for its faith-inspired apparel, has been bombarding him with over 60 text messages since February 2021. Plaintiff alleges that these messages, which promoted the purchase of the defendant’s products, apparently lacked the proper consent as required by the TCPA. Siringi also alleges that his phone number has been registered on the National Do Not Call Registry since 2015.

But there’s more. The complaint goes further to criticize the defendant for failing to maintain an internal Do Not Call list—an essential component for compliance with the TCPA. Plaintiff alleges that the text messages in question reportedly didn’t include an opt-out mechanism, leaving recipients unable to block future marketing attempts.

Siringi is aiming to represent not one, but two classes in this lawsuit. The first is the TCPA class, which could potentially include anyone who received these unsolicited texts from God Is Dope. The second is the Texas Section 305.053 class, which is essentially the state’s version of the federal TCPA. The complaint is not just about statutory and treble damages; it’s also about sending a clear message to businesses that even those with a name as holy as “God Is Dope” aren’t exempt from the law.

Siringi’s complaint is sprinkled with warnings to businesses about the potentially lucrative nature of TCPA class actions, suggesting that companies need to be more vigilant in their compliance efforts. It’s a gentle reminder that, in the eyes of the law, not even faith can save you from the repercussions of neglecting the TCPA.

So, whether you’re running a religious-themed apparel company or any other business, it’s wise to heed this cautionary tale. God may be dope, but the TCPA is the law—and it’s got the final word.

Til’ next time, Countess!!!