Attorney General's News Release

August 21, 2006

Company selling films will pay $70,000 over No Call complaints in agreement obtained by Nixon

St. Louis, Mo. — Two companies that market and sell films will pay $70,000 to the state of Missouri and develop a detailed plan to ensure future compliance with the state's No Call law according to a settlement secured today by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The assurance of voluntary compliance, filed today in St.Louis City Circuit Court, was the result of a lawsuit Nixon filed in March against Feature Films For Families Inc. of Murray, Utah, and the Dove Foundation of Grand Rapids, Mich., alleging the companies conspired in a scheme to evade state No Call laws. Telemarketers from the Dove Foundation claimed its status as a charitable organization provided them with an exemption to the Missouri No Call law. In reality, the Dove Foundation was using that status to solicit sales for Feature Films For Families, a for-profit organization that sells DVDs and videos. The Attorney General's No Call unit recovered almost 300 complaints about the calls.

“Companies such as these that look for new ways to circumvent our No Call law are another illustration of how effective our Missouri law is,” Nixon said. “We always have been, and will continue to be, vigilant in protecting Missouri's consumers from unwanted telemarketers and will swiftly take action when there is a violation of the law.”

According to the agreement, the Dove Foundation and Feature Films For Families must pay $70,000 to the state Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund and obey all merchandising practices and No Call laws in the future. The respondents must also provide the Attorney General's Office with a detailed plan of practices and procedures they will implement in their businesses to ensure compliance with the state No Call law. They have also agreed to subscribe to, and remain current with, the Missouri No Call database.

Any future violation of the agreement by the respondents could result in contempt of court proceedings and civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818