Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey recently announced that the Hollywood-based firm j2 Global, Inc. has agreed to pay $1.2 million and change its sales practices to settle a civil lawsuit alleging the internet services company automatically renewed subscriptions in violation of state law.

Prosecutors with the district attorney’s office and other members of the California Auto Renewal Task Force found the firm did not properly disclose to its customers that their fax service subscriptions would be automatically renewed after a trial period. Under California law, online businesses must clearly and conspicuously disclose all automatic renewal charges and terms, and obtain consent of those recurring charges from consumers.

Prosecutors alleged that the violations occurred between April 2012 and November 2016 and involved services sold by j2 Global that allow people to send, receive and store faxes without a fax machine. Those products include eFax, MyFax and MetroFax.

The $1.2 million judgement includes $585,000 in restitution plus penalties and administrative costs. The company is required to notify by email California consumers who are eligible for restitution.

Under the terms of the settlement, j2 Global also must clearly and conspicuously disclose its automatic-renewal term, among other requirements.