Celebrezze v. United Research, Inc.

Defendants-appellants, United Research, Inc. and Universal Acceptance Corp., appeal a trial court judgment finding that defendants’ practice of suing consumers in a distant forum is deceptive and unfair pursuant to R.C. 1345.02 and enjoining defendants from continuing such practice. We affirm.

United Research, Inc. (“United”) is an Ohio corporation that sells educational materials such as encyclopedias, bibles, children’s books and cookbooks. United hires independent contractors to solicit sales throughout Ohio and in other states. When a sale is effected, the customer signs a retail…