The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a $1.2 million fine against glue manufacturing company, Chemence, Inc. for violating a 2016 consent order requiring the company to qualify its “Made in USA” claims in its promotional...more
Major changes to copyright law were shepherded in through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the highly publicized pandemic relief bill passed on December 27, 2020.
Amongst these changes was the enactment of the...more
Folgers Coffee Co., and its parent company, J.M. Smucker, were sued in federal court for allegedly inflating the number of servings contained in certain canisters of Folgers’ ground coffee.
After doing the math, a consumer...more
In March 2020, photographer Michael Barret Boesen filed suit against the owner of sports news website, LongIslandTennisMagazine.com claiming that the website infringed on his copyrights by embedding an Instagram post...more
In September 2018, a consumer filed a putative class action in California against Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
The consumer alleged that the company is participating in deceptive business practices by marketing,...more
According to the United Nations, 127 countries have passed regulations on single-use plastic bags in an effort to incentivize consumers to use reusable bags when shopping.
The scope of these regulations varies from country...more
10/20/2020
/ Africa ,
Asia ,
Australia ,
Austria ,
Belgium ,
Canada ,
Chile ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Finland ,
France ,
Germany ,
Italy ,
Latin America ,
Netherlands ,
New Zealand ,
NY Supreme Court ,
Plastic Bag Bans ,
Spain ,
Sweden ,
United Nations
As online shopping picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic due to brick-and-mortar closures, so too have questions about liability for online marketplaces.
Traditionally, online marketplaces—e-commerce platforms that offer...more
The Seventh Circuit recently resolved a false advertising lawsuit involving beer giants Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light, and Molson Coors, which makes Miller Light and Coors Light. At the center of the dispute – one of...more
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which administers the ratings system for video games, has launched a new warning label for use on video games that include in-game offers to purchase digital goods or premiums...more
During a time of financial uncertainty and fear for public health, many companies are stepping up to donate time and funds to industries and workers who are on the font-lines. But as clothing brand Draper James recently...more
The BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division (NAD) announced April 2, 2020, that it has launched a new fast-track challenge process called the Fast-Track SWIFT (short of Single Well-Defined Issue Fast Track)...more
Comparative safety claims can be a powerful advertising tool, especially when regarding products consumers cannot test themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that these claims are made with sound proof.
...more
As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc globally, long-term business implications are imminent for US companies.
The fashion and retail industries are specifically affected due to the volume of goods produced in China,...more
3/11/2020
/ Business Interruption ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Fashion Industry ,
Goods or Services ,
Imports ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Internet Retailers ,
Manufacturers ,
Public Health ,
Retailers ,
Supply Chain
As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc globally, long-term business implications are imminent for US companies -
The fashion and retail industries are specifically affected due to the volume of goods produced in...more
3/5/2020
/ Business Interruption ,
China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Delays ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Distributors ,
Force Majeure Clause ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Internet Retailers ,
Manufacturers ,
Suppliers ,
Supply Chain ,
Supply Contracts
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
The FTC alleged that UrthBox did not disclose that some consumers received compensation, including free snack boxes, to post positive reviews.
In addition, UrthBox offered “free” trial boxes during this time that resulted...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
If enacted, the law would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to require cosmetic products labeled as “natural” to contain at least 70 percent natural substances, (excluding water and salt) and be made...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