In an enforcement action that highlights the recent focus by the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") on environmental and energy marketing issues, the FTC announced yesterday settlements with three online retailers arising out of their allegations that their the websites violated the FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule. Read more.
November 2, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission announced proposed revisions to their Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, or "The Green Guides." The FTC is accepting public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final. Read more.
October 6, 2010
A group of the nation’s leading marketers and advertisers announced today further details about a self regulatory program aimed at giving consumers some control over their privacy and the online advertisements they receive. Using behavioral targeting techniques, advertisers send consumers targeted ads based on Web browsing behavior. Read more.
October 4, 2010
In July, Hawaii became the first state to conform substantial aspects of its gift card law with the new federal gift card law contained in the "Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act" of 2009. Here is a summary of Hawaii's changes, and a brief look at the gift card legal landscape. Read more.
September 15, 2010
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission began issuing subpoenas to 48 children’s food and beverage marketers seeking data about advertising practices and marketing expenditures dedicated to children. The FTC previously announced that it would be taking this action last May. Read more.
September 2, 2010
In an important enforcement action following up on the revisions to the endorsement and testimonial guidelines issued last year, the Federal Trade Commission announced today a settlement with a public relations firm, Reverb Communications, Inc., for what the FTC alleges are deceptive advertising practices. Read more.
August 26, 2010
In what may signal regulators’ growing focus on advertisers’ use of social media, the FDA recently issued its first Facebook-related citation in connection with Novartis’ use of Facebook’s share function on its Tasigna® website.The FDA cited four ways in which the website and Facebook's "share" widget violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the FDA implementing regulations. Read more.
August 9, 2010
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission released answers to frequently asked questions about its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. These FAQs provide helpful additional guidance regarding the FTC’s revisions to the Guides. Read more.
June 23, 2010
After a lengthy and closely-watched review process, the Federal Trade Commission recently issued revisions to its "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". Read more.
June 22, 2010
On June 2, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a public roundtable in Washington, D.C. regarding the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, a partner in our Advertising Group, participated in the roundtable. Read more.
June 3, 2010
Last year we reported about the passage by Maine of a sweeping new privacy law restricting collection of personal information from and marketing to minors. Recently, the Maine legislature passed a bill repealing that law in full, which was signed by Maine Governor Baldacci on March 29, 2010. Read more.
April 9, 2010
Yesterday the FTC announced the review of its Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule. COPPA imposes requirements on operators of Web sites that are aimed at children under 13, or that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Read more.
March 25, 2010
Luis G. Rivera Marín, Secretary of Puerto Rico's Department of Consumer Affairs, recently announced the enactment of the Commonwealth's revised "Sweepstakes and Games of Chance Regulation". The new regulation will allow Puerto Rican residents to participate in sweepstakes and other games of chance that were formerly limited to participants in the US and the District of Columbia. Read more.
November 5, 2009
Today the Federal Trade Commission announced that it has approved revisions to its "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". The guides were last updated in 1980. Read more.
October 5, 2009
The state of Maine recently enacted the "Act to Prevent Predatory Marketing Practices Against Minors", which will restrict collection of personal information from and marketing to minors. This statute could threaten any type of promotion to minors in Maine, including sweepstakes and contests. Read more.
August 13, 2009
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