In a challenging economic environment, advertising battles are on the rise. False and potentially misleading advertising by competitors can present serious issues for a company’s marketing efforts and importantly, their bottom line. Faced with this situation, what are a company’s options for challenging false advertising, and how can companies successfully protect their brands?

Manatt partner Chris Cole, a nationally known advertising litigator who has challenged and defended scores of advertising claims in court and before the National Advertising Division (NAD), will be moderating a panel of distinguished presenters – including NAD Assistant Director David Mallen – on these very topics at the ABA Consumer Protection Conference on February 3, 2011. In advance of the conference, our newsletter editors caught up with Chris for a preview of the presentation, including strategies for bringing or defending against comparative advertising actions, and the implications of the available remedies.