Uber wins dismissal of racketeering lawsuit in US

Uber Technologies has won the dismissal of a racketeering lawsuit by 15 Connecticut taxi and limousine companies seeking to stop the ride-sharing company from doing business in the state.

US district judge Alvin Thompson in Hartford said the plaintiffs failed to show that Uber competed unfairly, tried to lure away their drivers, or misrepresented its services, fares and drivers’ insurance coverage to passengers.

The judge also rejected the plaintiffs’ argument that Uber should follow the same licensing and safety regulations that they are required by law to observe.

He said this was because it was only recently that Connecticut’s legislature even asked the state’s Department of Transportation to consider whether Uber should be covered.

Uber had argued that it was unclear how state transportation laws could “apply to a technology company” such as itself which owns no cars and employs no drivers.

An Uber spokesman said the decision lets Connecticut drivers and passengers keep receiving the “economic and transportation benefits” the company provides.

The judge said the plaintiffs can file an amended lawsuit if desired.

The lawsuit is similar to many filed in the US against San Francisco-based Uber, which lets customers summon vehicles through a smartphone application.