(a)  Damages to a consumer resulting from the practices prohibited by this chapter are up to five hundred dollars ($500) per violation, or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 6-49-5

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(b)  A person engaged in the business of providing internet access service to the public; an owner of a web page; or trademark owner adversely affected by reason of a violation of this chapter, may bring an action against a person who violates this chapter to:

(1)  Enjoin further violations of this chapter; and

(2)  Recover the greater of actual damages or five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation of this chapter.

(c)  The court may increase the damages up to three (3) times the damages allowed by this section if the defendant has engaged in a pattern and practice of violating this chapter. The court may award costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees to a prevailing party.

History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 628, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 36.