Compliance into the Weeds: The SEC and Climate Disclosures
PODCAST: Trending Now An IP Podcast - Patent Office Secrecy Orders
Life Sciences Quarterly (Q3 2019): SEC Enforcement and Class Actions Regarding FDA Communications
Impact of environmental, social and governance agenda on tax
This Week in FCPA-Episode 80, The Last Jedi Edition
Life Sciences Quarterly: A View From Washington: What to Expect From the SEC
Compliance into the Weeds-Episode 39, Disclosure of Ransomware Attacks
This week Donald J. Trump announced that “Back by popular demand” he’s offering his new (Series 4) Trump Digital Trading Cards (NFTs). Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I went to the website to review the offer and...more
SEC’s Division of Examinations (“EXAMS”) issued a risk alert on its Initial Observations Regarding Advisers Act Marketing Rule Compliance (the “Risk Alert”), giving compliance officers an unexpected gift by sharing examples...more
Wonderbelly Antacid's Influencer Marketing Leaves NAD with a Bad Taste - The National Advertising Division (NAD) recently addressed a challenge involving Wonderbelly Antacid, an emerging brand in the antacid market,...more
On January 29, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) issued a circular (the “Circular”) detailing what it considers deceptive financial services marketing practices under the Consumer Financial Protection...more
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Examinations (the Division) recently released its annual Examination Priorities for fiscal year 2024 (the Report). The Report underlines the Division’s focus on...more
Being born and raised in Pennsylvania, let me start by saying that I love Reese Cups – a perfect mix of chocolate and peanut butter that just makes you so happy. And of course, Reese’s should not be sorry that they make you...more
On June 29, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its updated Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (“Guides”), together with an FAQ document, FTC’s Endorsement Guides: What People...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently finalized updates to its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (Guides), which address the FTC’s latest thinking about how the...more
Thank you for reading the July 2023 issue of Sterne Kessler's MarkIt to Market® newsletter. This month, we continue our three-part series that closely examines ways to lose trademark rights with a discussion of genericide. We...more
On June 29, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the publication of long-awaited updates to its Endorsement Guides (Guides), which provide the agency’s official guidance to businesses and other advertisers on...more
The world’s ever-changing technological landscape has led to the formation of new mediums of creativity — mediums that the sports and entertainment industry cannot ignore. Digital currencies, virtual universes, and enhanced...more
As lawmakers race to catch up on AI technology, the FTC has issued guidance warning marketers not to make false or unsubstantiated claims about AI-powered products. As we see AI starting to emerge in many consumer...more
Influencers and their large and impressionable followings have become a valuable marketing tool for brands big and small. However, brands and influencers alike should proceed with caution as regulators continue to scrutinize...more
On June 23, the FTC proposed a rule that would prohibit junk fees, bait-and-switch advertising, and other deceptive practices by auto dealers to protect consumers and honest dealers in the car-buying process...more
To encourage transparency and compliance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act and address current practices and trends, the FTC first published the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in...more
On October 28, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission issued a new Enforcement Policy Statement (the Statement) warning companies against using “dark patterns” in negative option marketing. “Dark patterns” is a broad term that...more
On October 13, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent a Notice of Penalty Offenses to more than 700 businesses, including top consumer brands, retailers, e-commerce platforms and advertising agencies, regarding...more
I love it when there are new and innovative approaches to sweepstakes. That’s been the genesis and driving force behind sweepstakes promotions since they began. The term “sweepstakes” itself originated in the late 14th...more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for many businesses. Some companies, particularly in the travel, hospitality, and leisure industries, have seen revenue drop precipitously. Other companies,...more
The Canadian Competition Bureau (Bureau) has recently reached settlements with Leon’s Furniture Limited (Leon’s) and The Brick Ltd. (The Brick) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada Company (Enterprise), addressing marketing...more
SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) has recently issued a risk alert to registered investment advisers indicating their intent to focus on compliance oversight and controls with respect to the...more
On September 12, 2016, OCIE published a National Exam Program Risk Alert announcing an initiative to examine the supervision practices of registered investment advisers (“RIAs”) that employ individuals with a history of...more
Last week, the US Attorney’s Office in Boston announced that drug company Warner Chilcott agreed to plead guilty to health care fraud and pay $125 million to resolve criminal and civil liability arising out of allegations...more
The recent adoption of the European Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), effective July 2013 (and with transitional provisions in some countries through 2014), has imposed complex new regulations on most...more
A good marketing department knows how to generate product “buzz” by leveraging external influencers and promotions. The challenge for the company is to avoid being stung by the FTC’s recently published Endorsement Guides (the...more