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 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
The Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General are aggressively investigating the use of fake or false consumer reviews and testimonials – including AI-generated reviews – on consumer review platforms like Google...more
Bah, humbug! Certain advertisers received a lump of coal in their stockings from FTC staff. Right before the holidays, the Commission issued warning letters to 10 companies alerting them of potential violations of the...more
n December, DWT's Washington, D.C., office hosted a luncheon in connection with the Financial Technology Association featuring guest speaker Chris Mufarrige, the current FTC Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. DWT...more
In August 2024, I wrote about the Federal Trade Commission's then-new Consumer Review Rule (Adieu, Fake Revie(u)w), which is designed to preserve the authenticity of online reviews and prohibit companies from suppressing...more
In an unusual move, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reopened and set aside a previously finalized consent order against Rytr LLC, an AI-powered writing tool provider, nullifying the case against the company. ...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
On December 22, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced two actions relating to fake or false consumer reviews: 1. Issuance of a set of warning letters to companies that may be responsible for fake or false...more
Consumers often rely on reviews to help them choose between everything from home repair companies to apartments to lawyers. When those reviews reflect honest feedback from real people who have actually used a product or...more
On December 22, 2025, the FTC announced that it had sent letters to ten companies warning them of potential violations of the agency’s Consumer Review Rule....more
This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with NextMed parent company Southern Health Solutions, Inc., in response to allegations that the telemedicine platform offered deceptive claims and fake...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
In this edition of Fashion Law, we have compiled thought leadership published on our blogs and website throughout 2024—providing an overview of significant legal and regulatory updates in the fashion industry over the past...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
In a significant enforcement action, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Illinois Attorney General have reached a $20 million settlement with Leader Automotive Group and its Canadian parent company, AutoCanada, over...more
Current and potential patients are taking to the internet to share opinions and make decisions about healthcare providers. Good reviews can convert prospective healthcare consumers into patients, while bad reviews,...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a “sweep” targeting AI-related conduct this week. The cases provide insight into how the agency may approach AI-related issues going forward and illustrate differences among the...more
In this post, the final part of our six-part series, we explore the nuances of the “teeth” of the FTC’s Final Rule on consumer reviews and testimonials—the money the FTC can recover for violations of the Final Rule....more
With the first quarter of 2024 in full swing, it is a good time for brands to revisit marketing compliance strategies to minimize the risk of potential class actions, regulatory enforcement actions, and competitor challenges....more
Consumers often research a product or service before they make a purchase. Now more than ever, consumers rely on the reviews and testimonials they see online. This creates a breeding ground for deception. Enter the Federal...more
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and six states permanently banned Roomster Corp. and its owners, John Shriber and Roman Zaks, from purchasing or incentivizing consumer reviews as part of a settlement over...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
On February 16, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced an enforcement action against The Bountiful Company (Bountiful) for a practice the FTC dubbed “review hijacking.” Bountiful, a vitamin and supplement company,...more