Federal Election Commission Dismisses NGP Complaint, Powerful Aristotle Data-Mining Technology Cleared

Significant election, fundraising and compliance advantage seen for company's clients

WASHINGTON, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an important election law decision, the Federal Election Commission has voted to close the file and take no action on a complaint against Aristotle filed by competitor NGP Software that alleged the company was improperly using Federal Election Commission contributor data.  The decision was officially communicated to Aristotle's attorney, Stephen Hershkowitz, partner of the election law firm Sandler, Reiff and Young, following the commission vote.  Hershkowitz is a former Assistant General Counsel at the Federal Election Commission and, along with Joe Sandler and Neil Reiff, represents Aristotle on matters involving election law.

"This is a significant decision that clarifies the appropriate use of Commission data," said Hershkowitz.  "After devoting considerable resources and carefully considering the issues, the Commission made the correct decision."  

The FEC legal victory also boosts Aristotle's patent filing announced two weeks ago, making the company's patent-pending technology for data-mining by political organizations more valuable.

The patent application, prepared by the national law firm DLA Piper, is entitled: "Integration of Voter and Contributor Data Into Political Software and Compliance Systems for Purposes of Solicitation, Compliance, Vetting and Calls to Action."

"In politics, information is power. You use it to competitive advantage," said John Aristotle Phillips, CEO of Aristotle.  "That's exactly what this patent-pending technology platform enables campaign operatives, fundraisers and consultants to do.  It delivers better information and better ways to use it."

The patent covers proprietary technology and enables users to access, mine and harness contribution disclosure records in a manner consistent with the law and for compliance purposes.   Aristotle's platform also incorporates detailed state contributor and voter lists with highly accurate consumer databases to illuminate exactly how much a donor has given, how much they can give, and to suggest the maximum they might agree to contribute where allowed by law.

"Aristotle goes to great lengths to design its products to be 100% legal, and we are the only company that unconditionally guarantees compliance with FEC and state disclosure laws.  Aristotle clients now have a significant data-mining advantage using our very powerful software," said Phillips.

As J. Blair Richardson, General Counsel of Aristotle stated, "The FEC's decision to close the file validates what we have been saying all along. This restricted FEC data can be used in campaign software that is properly designed in conjunction with advice from experienced counsel. NGP previously asked the FEC to approve NGP's own proposed design, and, as we urged at the time, the Commission unanimously denied NGP's request." See AO 2004-24.

Richardson added, "Although NGP's now-dismissed complaint against us has failed to slow down implementation of this innovation, we do not know if NGP will sue the commission in an effort to overturn its determination to close this matter. If NGP does so, however, we look forward to the opportunity to participate in that suit and to defend our technology successfully again."

Aristotle and NGP are still locked in litigation relating to claims of deceptive marketing.  Aristotle alleges that NGP has for years falsely marketed itself by falsely claiming to serve "only Democrats and their allies," and NGP has filed counterclaims.  NGP now appears to have removed such marketing claims from its website.

About Aristotle

Aristotle is recognized as a global pioneer in political technology, providing indispensable tools to those who seek to use the Democratic process to influence decisions at the ballot box.  Every occupant of the White House — Democrat and Republican — for more than 25 years has been an Aristotle customer, as are most U.S. Senators, most members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Democratic and Republican state party organizations. For information about career opportunities or for client inquiries, go to www.aristotle.com.

SOURCE Aristotle