The Trend of Threatening Physicians for Personal Gain
(Podcast) The Briefing – Fake Reviews, Real Consequences: Consumer Review Dos and Don’ts
The Briefing – Fake Reviews, Real Consequences: Consumer Review Dos and Don’ts
The FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Deceptive Reviews and Testimonials
Negative Online Reviews and Reputation Management: Tips for Health Care Practices and Providers
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Advertising & Customer Engagement in the Digital Age - Customer Reviews and Response
How to Find the Identity of an Anonymous Author Online
II-36- Holiday Party Tips, the 2018/2019 Federal Regulatory Agenda, and Noteworthy Cases On Suing and Being Sued
On January 16, 2026, Shenzhen Zhihuida Technology Co., Ltd. — the Chinese manufacturer behind the popular Meowant self‑cleaning litter box — and its U.S. distributor Gaosto Ltd. filed a federal lawsuit against rival PetPivot...more
On December 22, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced it had sent warning letters to 10 companies regarding possible violations under the Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (“Rule”). Although recipients...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent warning letters to 10 unnamed companies for practices that may allegedly violate its new Consumer Review Rule. The letters flag potential use of fake or misleading reviews,...more
Companies would be wise to start the new year by reviewing their policies for compliance with the FTC Rule on Consumer Reviews & Testimonials, as warning letters sent by the Federal Trade Commission signal that this may be an...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to ten companies for alleged deceptive review practices, indicating its intent to step up enforcement of its relatively new Consumer Review Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 465)...more
The Commission’s Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials went into effect on October 21, 2024. The Rule addresses deceptive and unfair conduct involving consumer reviews and testimonials. You can review other...more
The recent 2025 NAD Conference provided a deep dive into many areas of advertising law. While a few sessions discussed the obvious hot-button topic of the year—artificial intelligence—there were many other timely topics...more
Finalized last year, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Final Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (the “Final Rule”) principally addresses the sale, purchase, and publication of fake online reviews and...more
The Federal Trade Commission is taking a hard look at marketing and advertising statements, making sure they are precise and accurate. Here are some key takeaways from recent enforcements:...more
FTC's Final Junk Fees Rule Narrowed in Scope - On December 17, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its final Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, commonly known as the "Junk Fees Rule." This final rule has a...more
Our team recently attended the ANA Masters of Advertising Law Conference and had the great fortune to hear Serena Viswanathan, associate director for the FTC’s Advertising Practices Division, discuss the Rule on the Use of...more
Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued guidance in the form of FAQs on its recently finalized Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (the "Rule"), which Rule took effect on October 21,...more
In this post, part of a six-part series, we explore what the FTC’s Final Rule on consumer reviews and testimonials means for incentivized reviews. The Final Rule prohibits businesses from providing compensation or other...more
On August 14, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a final rule aimed at protecting American consumers against fake reviews and testimonials. The rule, approved through a 5-0 vote, comes after nearly two years of...more
Surprise, surprise, it turns out that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is serious about the misuse of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. In October 2021, the FTC sent out a Notice of Penalty Offenses to...more
With a Little Nudge from the FTC—NAD Able To Take a Closer Look at "Smarter Reviews" Advertising - Following a referral to the FTC, a "review" site suspected of improperly making advertising claims that look like editorial...more
On Tuesday, February 13, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held an informal hearing regarding the Proposed Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials. Three interested parties each had the opportunity to submit 30...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
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 Federal Trade Commission has issued its updated Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (Endorsement Guides). Last updated in 2009, the significantly revised Endorsement Guides focus on...more
On June 29, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its much anticipated and long-awaited updates to the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (the Guides). The Guides, which...more
The lead-up to the July Fourth holiday was a busy time for endorsement and testimonial watchers—the FTC issued (i) its final, updated Guides to the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, (ii) an updated version...more
We’ve all at least once (and maybe only once) played the surprisingly revealing drinking game “Never Have I Ever”. You know, you go around the table with one person asking, “Never have I ever [fill in the blank]” with the...more
Thirteen months after proposing sweeping changes to its Endorsements and Testimonial Guides (Guides), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized its revised guidelines and released an updated set of FAQs to help guide...more
The Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides were first enacted in 1980 and amended in 2009. The Guides provide guidance to businesses and others to ensure that advertising using endorsements or testimonials is...more