Last week, a D.C. District Court declined to find the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to extend robocalling restrictions to telemarketing calls that use “soundboard” technology unconstitutional or in violation of any procedural rules. The Soundboard Association, a telecommunications interest group, argued that the FTC rule was unconstitutional because the FTC bypassed the notice-and-comment requirements typically
Khloe Kardashian Sued By Photographer Over Instagram Photo
Xposure Photos Ltd., a U.K. photography company, filed suit in the Central District of California last week against Khloe Kardashian, alleging that she infringed its copyright when she posted a photo of herself and her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, to her Instagram without authorization or appropriate copyright notice. Xposure is seeking an injunction against Kardashian for
Influencers and Advertisers Warned By FTC Over Instagram Posts
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced this week that it sent more than 90 letters to social media influencers and advertisers, reiterating the need for influencers to “clearly and conspicuously” disclose their relationships with brands in social media posts that promote or endorse branded products. The FTC reviewed the Instagram posts of various unnamed celebrities
FTC Will Consider Spying Toy Privacy Concerns
Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), in response to a complaint filed by Electronic Privacy Information Center (“EPIC”) and other consumer groups, made the decision to review the potential privacy and security concerns associated with electronic, internet-capable children’s toys, namely My Friend Kayla and i-Que Robot, designed by Genesis Toys and Nuance Communications.
EPIC
Tennessee Court Awards $1.9 Million in Mapco Express Data Breach Class Action Suit
Last month, a Tennessee Federal court ordered Mapco Express, Inc. (“Mapco”) to pay approximately $1.9 million to settle class action claims arising from a 2013 data breach of its retail computer systems. The lawsuit was brought in 2014 by Winsouth Credit Union and First National Community bank and alleged that Mapco failed to adequately protect
Seventh Circuit Upholds Indiana Ban on Robocalls
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld an Indiana statute banning robocalls, concluding that the statute was evenly applied in an effort to prohibit unsolicited calls made without a recipient’s consent regardless of the content of the message or the identity of the caller. Patriotic Veterans, Inc. brought suit arguing
FTC Settles Data Breach Case with AshleyMadison for $1.6 Million
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) settled with online dating website AshleyMadison.com for $1.6 million stemming from FTC and state actions brought against the company as a result of a July 2015 data breach that exposed the profile and account information of approximately 36 million users. In addition to the settlement, AshleyMadison.com must also implement a
FTC Settles with Vemma Nutrition for $238 Million Arising from Pyramid Scheme
Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) settled with Vemma Nutrition Company for allegedly engaging in deceptive business practices and sales tactics akin to a pyramid scheme. According to the FTC, the company made deceptive income claims to its distributors and unsubstantiated health claims about its products, specifically representing that consumer demand for the products
USDA Releases Recommendations for Food Date Labeling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) issued new recommendations earlier this month as part of its efforts to clarify food labeling to improve consumer understanding and to reduce food waste. Specifically, the recommendations suggest that companies refrain from using date labeling terms, such as “sell by,” “use by,” or “best if used by,” or others
Congress Introduces First Post-Obama Copyright Review Policy Proposal
Last week, members of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee introduced their first of many upcoming policy proposals aimed at modernizing U.S. copyright law, and, specifically, the U.S. Copyright Office. This proposal sets out specific changes for the Copyright Office, including creating an advisory committee, introducing an information technology modernization plan, increasing the Office’s