On Thursday Uber won a dismissal of a racketeering lawsuit brought by 15 Connecticut-based taxi companies aiming to stop the company from doing business in the state.
Distrct Judge Alvin Thompson said the plaintiffs did not show that Uber competed unfairly, tried to lure their drivers away, or misrepresented services, fares and driver insurance cover to passengers.
Uber lawsuit dismissed
Judge Thompson also rejected the argument that Uber should have to comply with the same licensing and safety laws they must observe. He said is because it was only recently that Connecticut asked the state’s Department of Transportation to consider if Uber should be covered.
Uber argued it was unclear how state transportation laws apply to a technology company that owns no cars and employs no drivers.
A spokesman for Uber, Matthew Wing, said the decision now lets drivers and passengers in the state keep receiving the economic and transportation benefits provided by the company. Lawyers for the taxi and limousine companies have so far not immediately responded for requests for comment.
The plaintiffs may however file an amended lawsuit if they wish. The lawsuit was similar to many in the US files against Uber, which allows customers to book a ride using a smartphone app.
In the complain brought against Uber, which sought damages, the companies said Uber only succeeds because it can prey parasitically on established taxi and livery services by cutting corners and ignoring laws that are designed to protect passengers.
Originally Lyft – another ride-sharing app – was a defendant, but the company was dismissed from the case in February.
SOURCE:Â Reuters.
Larry Banks is a keen follower of technology and finance. He has worked for a variety of online publications, writing about a diverse range of topics including mobile networks, patents, and Internet video delivery technologies.