As comparison sites become more popular, the fine print becomes increasingly important for both consumers and companies.
As one recent US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement reminds us, companies that want to boast...more
The Federal Trade Commission announced on February 12, 2020, that it will seek public comment on issues related to the Endorsement Guide, formally known as the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in...more
A recently-filed consumer class action alleges that canned tuna producer, StarKist, misled consumers when they claimed their tuna products are “100% dolphin-safe” and “sustainable.” The class action is moving forward after...more
For companies with annual gross revenue of $5 billion or more, the new NAD filing fee is $35,000, while companies with annual revenue of between $250 million and $5 billion will have to pay $30,000. Previously companies with...more
The NAD case between AT&T and T-Mobile is just the latest development in the ongoing battle over 5G, the next generation of technology for wireless networks. All of the wireless providers are racing to upgrade their existing...more
This case highlights the importance of clearing new advertising slogans before embarking on a major marketing campaign. Because advertising slogans tend to be used for shorter periods, they are not always subject to the same...more
The FTC filed a lawsuit against YouTube, alleging that the company illegally collected personal information from children in violation of COPPA. In September, the FTC and New York Attorney General announced a settlement. As...more
Right to repair laws have come in and out of the public eye over the last decade. While many of the earliest laws covered only specific industries, such as the automotive and farm equipment industries, many states are looking...more
11/27/2019
/ Cell Phones ,
Diagnostic Tests ,
Electronic Devices ,
Electronics ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Laptop Computers ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Magnuson-Moss Act ,
Manufacturers ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Right to Repair ,
State Legislatures ,
Summary of Consumer Rights ,
Television ,
Third-Party Service Provider ,
Video Games ,
Warranties
A US-based manufacturer was recently investigated by the Federal Trade Commission after improperly labeling country-of-origin information that violated the Textile Products Identification Act and Textile Rules....more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this month issued new guidance on the use of social media influencers in marketing campaigns. And though it breaks little new ground, the guidance provides perhaps the clearest examples yet...more
11/18/2019
/ Blogging Platforms ,
Deceptive Intent ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
E-Commerce ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
FTC Endorsement Guidelines ,
Influencers ,
Marketing ,
New Guidance ,
Online Advertisements ,
Online Endorsements ,
Online Platforms ,
Online Reviews ,
Social Media ,
Social Networks ,
Websites
Lenwood Hamilton, also known as Hard Rock Hamilton, claimed that Gears of War character Augustus Cole infringed his publicity rights because the video game character had a number of features he felt were identified with him....more
11/5/2019
/ Athletes ,
Avatar ,
First Amendment ,
Infringement ,
Microsoft ,
Motion for Summary Judgment ,
Right of Publicity ,
Software Developers ,
Transformative Use ,
Transformativeness ,
Video Games
Retailers that issue gift cards should be aware of a recent wave of class action lawsuits filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the end of October. Thirty-three class action lawsuits were filed against a...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently filed a complaint against Match.com (Match) in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas alleging that the dating website allowed fake accounts to lure consumers into...more
The US Federal Trade Commission is considering changes to the rules governing negative option offers, including automatic renewals. A “negative option” is an offer for goods or services in which a consumer’s inaction...more
Despite a recent setback, a right of publicity lawsuit filed by the actress Brooke Shields against a cosmetics company and several major retailers will proceed in California state court....more