Over 430,000 consumers, who purchased and deposited money on NetSpend Corporation (“NetSpend”) prepaid debit cards will receive refund checks from the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), totalling more than $10,000,000 as part of NetSpend’s settlement with the FTC. In November 2016, the FTC charged NetSpend with violations of the FTC Act alleging NetSpend deceptively advertised that: … Continue Reading
The National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau (“NAD”) recently announced updates to its procedures. The change was announced by the Director of the NAD, Laura Brett, at the NAD’s Annual Conference and is the self-regulatory body’s response to a recommendation from the ABA Antitrust Section’s Working Group. The new procedural process is codified … Continue Reading
Last week, the FTC brought its first action against a company marketing and selling intravenously injected therapy products, or “iV Cocktails” as they are often called. In its Press Release, the FTC announced that it reached a settlement with A&O Enterprises Inc., d/b/a iV Bars, and its individual owner/operator, that prohibits iV Bars from making … Continue Reading
Several women and the Communications Workers of America have brought an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against Facebook and 10 employers who advertise on the social network, alleging that the companies are in violation of laws prohibiting sex-based job discrimination. By allowing employers to target job ads based on gender and seek only men … Continue Reading
Please join us for a complimentary webinar hosted by the Association of National Advertisers on the current issues related to influencer marketing, for industry experts. Jason Gordon, partner in the Entertainment & Media Group at Reed Smith, and Jennifer MacDougall, VP, associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary & ethics officer at Jack in the … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently approved final revisions to its Jewelry Guides (formally, the “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries,” the “Guides”), aimed at helping prevent deception in jewelry marketing. Based on the overall record of FTC review over the past six (6) years, the FTC has approved revisions to the … Continue Reading
On July 19, 2018, it was announced that Operation Troop Aid (“OTA”) entered into a settlement with multiple states, including California, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, for participating in an unlawful charitable commercial co-venture with Harris Originals of NY, Inc. (“Harris Jewelry”) a nationwide jewelry retailer for military personnel. In its simplest form, … Continue Reading
Operators of a get-rich-quick scheme have agreed to a permanent ban on the marketing or selling of certain types of software as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) over allegations that the defendants deceived consumers by falsely claiming consumers could earn large sums of money working online utilizing the defendant’s products. … Continue Reading
Apparently even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on board with ‘90s nostalgia. This week, the agency effectively rebooted the nearly 20-year-old debate on whether alternative milk and plant-based drink products should fall within the definition of “milk”. The FDA governs the proper labeling of foods, including ensuring that foods conform to a certain … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been granted a temporary restraining order barring several online marketers from engaging in allegedly deceptive sales practices in violation of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). The FTC’s complaint against Triangle Media Corporation, Jasper Rain Marketing LLC, Hardwire Interactive Inc., and Brian Phillips, the … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) approved a final consent order against Telomerase Activation Sciences, Inc. and Noel Patton (collectively, “TA Sciences”) following allegations that TA Sciences made certain substantiated claims regarding its supplement and topical serum products. FTC alleged that TA Sciences lacked sufficient evidence to support its health-benefit claims, including claims that its products … Continue Reading
Social media influencers are constantly competing for likes, partnerships, and ways to differentiate themselves from others. A surefire way to distinguish oneself in the ever-growing sea of social influencers? Being a robot. Computer generated social media influencers like Lil’ Miquela and Shudu have racked up millions of Instagram followers and likes and have secured several … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently charged two Utah individuals and their telemarketing operation with violating the FTC Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule by deceptively claiming that their business coaching services could help consumers start home-based businesses that could earn thousands of dollars a month. According to the FTC, the defendants targeted consumers … Continue Reading
In enacting the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, Congress determined that the safeguards built into the statute should apply only to children under 13. It sought to focus the restrictions on collection and use of personal information on younger children who are particularly vulnerable to marketing tactics because of their unfamiliarity with advertising and the … Continue Reading
Mobile phone manufacturer Blue Products, Inc. and its co-owner and President, Samuel Ohev-Zion (collectively, “BLU”), reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) over allegations that BLU misled consumers by allowing a China-based third party to collect detailed personal information about consumers. The FTC alleged that the Chinese entity collected U.S. consumers text message … Continue Reading
Parking your child with a tablet and the LittleBabyBum YouTube channel may not be as kid-friendly as it seems, a group of consumer advocacy groups told the Federal Trade Commission in April. More than 20 groups, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Public Citizen, and the Consumer Federation of America, asked the FTC to investigate … Continue Reading
In January 2016, a class action lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts against Guinness beer for misrepresenting that Guinness Extra Stout was brewed in Dublin when it is actually brewed in Canada. Plaintiff claimed that the prominent use of “Traditionally Brewed” and “St. James’s Gate Dublin” in conjunction with “Imported Guinness Extra Stout” created a false … Continue Reading
Please join us on Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 at 1:00 pm eastern for a webinar providing an overview of TCPA exposure risks in telemarketing, including the risks for calls and SMS using an Automatic Telephone Dialing System (ATDS) and what previously constituted an ATDS under FCC guidance. It will also cover the recent D.C. Circuit Court … Continue Reading
Earlier this week, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) sent warning letters to six (6) major companies that market and sell automobiles, cellular devices, and video gaming systems. The FTC indicated that it has concerns about the companies’ statements that consumers must use specified providers to keep their warranties intact. Unless warrantors provide the parts or … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently reached an agreement with New York-based Telomerase Activation Sciences, Inc. and its CEO Noel Patton (collectively, “TA Sciences”), barring TA Sciences from making false or unsubstantiated claims regarding the efficacy and health benefits of two of TA Sciences’ products. According to the FTC’s administrative complaint, TA Sciences falsely advertised … Continue Reading
Last month, the FTC announced a $1,384,500 settlement with Michael Abdelmesseh and KMA Merchant Services, LLC in a lawsuit regarding a deceptive credit card laundering scheme. The FTC alleged that the defendants telemarketed fraudulent business opportunities to consumers that involved false promises of thousands of dollars in income as commission for loans made to small … Continue Reading
One of the greatest developments for marketers in 2018 is likely to be the proliferation of new and innovative applications on the blockchain in the context of marketing and promotion, particularly in connection with loyalty programs, ad fraud mitigation, and ongoing CRM activities that combine brand affinity and peer-to-peer influencing. The potential magnitude of the … Continue Reading
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and Chemical Free Solutions LLC (“CFS”) reached a settlement barring CFS from making scientifically unsupported claims regarding the efficacy of its cedar oil-based bed bug eradication product Cedarcide Original. CFS made various false claims about its “BEST Yet!” bed bug and head lice products, including that it was … Continue Reading
Naked Juice, which is owned by PepsiCo (“Naked”), filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in a pair of class action lawsuits that claim its “No Sugar Added” labels on coconut water and orange juice are misleading and deceptive. Naked’s argument is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) already cleared use of the “No … Continue Reading
