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
The allure of prizes offered in a sweepstakes promotion can be an effective means of attracting consumers to a brand and/or its specific products/services. This is especially true when the prize in question involves...more
The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, and it is never too early for U.S. athletes to consult with their tax advisor. As was done in 2021, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee has pledged to award U.S....more
Gaming publishers wield the authority to establish competition and tournament guidelines for their games, shaping the landscape of esports events. This influence is particularly evident in Nintendo’s approach to Super Smash...more
Les promoteurs de concours publicitaires ne seront désormais plus assujettis à l’obligation d’obtenir une autorisation pour la tenue de leurs concours au Québec, ni aux autres exigences relatives aux concours qui étaient...more
Sponsors of publicity contests no longer have to register their contests in Quebec and contend with the other requirements of Quebec’s contest legislation. As of October 27, 2023, the legislative provisions imposing these...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
Examining loyalty points used for chance promotions - On May 11, 2023, @BabyTesla3 sent out a Tweet: NEW: Tesla has revamped the Referral program and introduced a new loyalty program! Here’s what you need to know •...more
“Match any of the WINNING NUMBERS to any of YOUR NUMBERS to win PRIZE.” In rejecting a lottery player’s reliance on this term, the High Court allowed the small print to prevail....more
Hearing “O Canada” being proudly sung during the recent NHL playoffs reminded me to remind you that in June 2021, la province de québec somewhat quietly amended its publicity contest law in order to exempt international...more
Mike Lindell – the “My Pillow Guy” – makes pillows that are soft to touch and claims that are hard to prove. In 2021, Lindell announced that he had compiled evidence demonstrating that China had interfered in the 2020...more
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and Web3 bring with them a host of new legal challenges in such areas as IP, securities law, tax, and advertising. As NFTs revolutionize the digital landscape and global economy, it...more
The 94th Academy Awards might have had dramas you never heard of (subtext COVID), but it wasn’t lacking in drama. When Will smacked Chris, a collective “whoa” rocked the Dolby Theater. The drama intensified when the question...more
Artesian Builds makes customized computers, with a focus on products for gamers and streamers on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Like many companies, Artesian uses brand ambassadors to help promote its products. As part...more
A custom PC company, Artesian Builds, who hyped its image by offering frequent giveaways ranging from $100 gift cards to t-shirts to custom built pcs, announced today (March 10) that it was suspending its business, following...more
...You don’t have to go to Disney World and take a 10-minute boat ride down the Seven Seas Waterway to realize that people around the globe are interconnected in so many ways and that a company’s business is pretty much...more
Introduction - Quebec recently made changes to its publicity contests rules. The rules, which require publicity contests to adhere to stringent regulatory requirements in order to operate in Quebec, now exempt international...more
As the Tokyo Olympics come to a close and the athletes return to their home countries, it may be time for U.S. athletes to sit down with their tax advisor. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee has pledged to...more
Oh, Canada, you give us ice hockey, maple syrup, Tom Hortons, and one stubborn province that had a noted aversion to “publicity contests.” But no more. Quebec has amended its laws concerning mandatory registration and fees...more
Every six-year-old boy, at some time in his short life, comes up with the idea of running a raffle as an ingenious way of earning some easy money. It is then left to his sardonic stuffed animal friend to counsel him on the...more
I literally had no idea. None. Until I recently saw that a bill in Oregon failed to pass (for the third time!) which would have prohibited the killing of coyotes in contests for cash or prizes. With the prize going to the...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
Sometimes doing good isn’t easy. Say you’re a company that wants to run a sweepstakes by asking entrants for donations to charity. Sounds simple. Everyone will think you’re an A-1, socially conscious brand that isn’t even...more
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau last week issued two fines, one for $6,000 and another for $5,200, for violations of its contest rules, as two sweepstakes were not conducted as advertised. ...more
Enter for a chance to win! Advertising lawyers are forever reminding their clients to be clear that when a promotion is a sweepstakes, messaging needs to be clear that it is a random drawing and not a giveaway. Recently,...more