47-18-102. Construction of law
The provisions of this part shall be liberally construed to promote the following policies:
(1) To simplify, clarify, and modernize state law governing the protection of the consuming public and to conform these laws with existing consumer protection policies;
(2) To protect consumers and legitimate business enterprises from those who engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce in part or wholly within this state;
(3) To encourage and promote the development of fair consumer practices;
(4) To declare and to provide for civil legal means for maintaining ethical standards of dealing between persons engaged in business and the consuming public to the end that good faith dealings between buyers and sellers at all levels of commerce be had in this state; and
(5) To promote statewide consumer education. (EMPHASIS ADDED)
Under Tenn.Code Ann. § 47-18-103(7) of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, a “person” is clearly defined to include corporations. Because the remedy of treble damages available under Tenn.Code Ann. § 47-18-109(a) is available to “person[s],” it is, thus, available to corporations. As such, corporations have standing to bring a private cause of action for treble damages under Tenn.Code Ann. § 47-18-109(a).
ATS Southeast, Inc. v. Carrier Corp. 18 S.W.3d 626, 630 (Tenn.,2000)
