Online Public Inspection File (OPIF)

Dear Ohioan,

I am pleased to present this tool to help the legal community, consumers and suppliers stay informed about their rights and responsibilities under Ohio consumer laws. The searchable Public Inspection File contains decisions from Ohio courts establishing those acts or practices deemed to violate Ohio's consumer protection laws. We have placed this system online so the legal community, consumers and suppliers can stay abreast of the most recent developments in Ohio consumer law.

While the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1345) prohibits unfair, deceptive or unconscionable acts by suppliers, the statute does not identify every prohibited practice. Such determinations are often left to the courts.

The CSPA allows for enhanced damages to be assessed against a supplier for a violation that has been previously addressed in an administrative rule or by any Ohio court if the Attorney General's Office has that decision available in its Public Inspection File. In such a case, a consumer may recover three times the amount of actual damages or $200, whichever is greater.

By using OPIF, the legal community, consumers and suppliers can submit inquiries that will lead them to the relevant legal holdings. By using OPIF, the legal community, consumers and suppliers can ensure that consumer transactions meet the requirements of Ohio law. I hope you find this site useful.