February 16, 2022
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Spectrum asks federal court to delay Maine pro rata law, pending review by SCOTUS - fox23maine.com

Spectrum and its parent company, Charter, are challenging a federal appeals court ruling that upheld Maine's law requiring cable companies to prorate bills, and plan to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in. (WGME)
Spectrum and its parent company, Charter, are challenging a federal appeals court ruling that upheld Maine's law requiring cable companies to prorate bills, and plan to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in. (WGME)

STATEWIDE (WGME) -- Spectrum and its parent company, Charter, are challenging a federal appeals court ruling that upheld Maine's law requiring cable companies to prorate bills, and plan to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in.

Back in 2019, customers contacted the CBS13 I-Team when they were forced to keep paying for cable service, even after they canceled. Our investigation helped spark the new law, requiring companies to give a credit or rebate for unused days of service.

Charter won an initial court challenge, arguing it violates federal law because it’s a form of rate regulation.

In January, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and ruled Maine’s law could stand.

Now, Charter is filing a motion to stay, asking that the law be delayed until early May so they can ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

Charter says it will suffer “irreparable harm” without a stay because it would have to make payments to terminating customers over the coming months with no way to recoup that money, should the Supreme Court rule in its favor.

Likewise, the company says it is tracking customers who cancel and would be entitled to a refund and will make those payments if the current decision stands.

The Maine Attorney General's Office plans to oppose Charter's latest motion and ask that the court allow them to begin enforcing the law.

An important clarification for consumers: the pro rata law only applies to cable service, not internet.



source: https://fox23maine.com/news/i-team/spectrum-asks-federal-court-to-delay-maine-pro-rata-law-pending-review-by-scotus

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