Tag Archives: FTC

Life in Plastic – It’s Fantastic

Photo of Michael IngramPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Michael Ingram and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in Advertising
As the world contends with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, activists are sounding the alarm over another pandemic: the plastic pandemic. Environmentalist groups have been warning Americans about our overconsumption of plastic for years, but now states are taking notice and acting. California and Washington state recently enacted legislation establishing a tiered system designed to increase … Continue Reading

COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act Shows Alternative Path to Monetary Remedies

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of John P. FerryBy Randal M. Shaheen and John P. Ferry on Posted in FTC
A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action demonstrates how the FTC has pivoted toward enforcement actions based on specific acts of Congress and rules in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in AMG Capital. Congress passed the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act in December 2020, which made deceptive acts or practices involving the treatment, cure, prevention, … Continue Reading

COPPA Compliance Back in Congressional Crosshairs

Photo of Carolina AlonsoPhoto of Michael IngramBy Carolina Alonso and Michael Ingram on Posted in COPPA
With more children getting online, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is not the only stakeholder concerned about reevaluating regulations related to children’s online privacy. Certain members of Congress are also seeking to review the current landscape of compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Note that the FTC received public comments regarding possible … Continue Reading

SCOTUS: No Equitable Monetary Relief for FTC Under § 13(b)

Photo of Linda A. GoldsteinPhoto of Matthew RenickBy Linda A. Goldstein and Matthew Renick on Posted in FTC
Well, the buck stops here (for now). Last week, in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. Federal Trade Commission, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act does not authorize the FTC to obtain equitable monetary relief such as restitution or disgorgement. This highly anticipated landmark decision reverses decades … Continue Reading

Beware Operation CBDeceit

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgePhoto of John P. FerryBy Randal M. Shaheen, Amy Ralph Mudge and John P. Ferry on Posted in CBD
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced on December 17 that it has taken action against six sellers of CBD products.  In case you need a refresher, CBD is a substance found in the cannabis plant that is widely touted for its health benefits.  The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD at the federal level, and … Continue Reading

FTC Enforcement: What Is Equitable Relief?

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of John P. FerryBy Randal M. Shaheen and John P. Ferry on Posted in FTC
All eyes remain on the Supreme Court and what, if any, changes the Court may make to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) authority to seek consumer redress. Will the Court strip the FTC of that authority entirely? The Third Circuit’s recent decision in an antitrust matter suggests so. The circuit court held Section 13(b) of … Continue Reading

Beware of Dark Patterns

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in Advertising
Yoda cautioned Luke Skywalker to beware of the Dark Side. In The Golden Compass, we were told to beware of dark materials. For those old enough to remember, the town of Collinsport was told to beware of Barnabas Collins, who lurked in Dark Shadows. And little kids in general are just plain scared of the … Continue Reading

No More Blurry Searches: 1-800 Contacts Settles Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Search Term Restraints

Photo of Darley MawPhoto of Ann O'BrienBy Darley Maw and Ann O'Brien on Posted in Class Actions
Last week, mega-online retailer 1-800 Contacts settled claims brought by a class action suit in the Central District of Utah alleging that the company was the mastermind of a scheme to prevent competition in the online contact lens market. The plaintiffs, consumer purchasers of contact lenses, alleged that 1-800 Contacts coerced some of its competitors … Continue Reading

When Your ‘Looks’ Are Late: FTC Settles With Online Fashion Retailer Over Alleged Mail Order Rule Violations

Photo of Linda A. GoldsteinPhoto of Matthew RenickBy Linda A. Goldstein and Matthew Renick on Posted in FTC
Online retailers are well aware of how the promise of quick delivery can influence consumer purchasing decisions. Especially in times like these, when delivery times have slowed for many companies, marketers might be even more tempted to promise fast delivery as a way to entice consumers to place an order. A recent enforcement by the … Continue Reading

FTC Case Against Rent to Own Company Airs Differences Over Redress, Individual Liability and ROSCA

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in FTC
The Rent to Own industry has been a frequent target of Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) action. While the industry notes that it provides an ownership option for consumers who are unable to pay up front and who may not qualify for traditional credit, critics point to the fact that the final cost of … Continue Reading

Commissioner Wilson Weighs In on FTC Priorities

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in FTC
We have blogged quite a bit about efforts by one or both of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC or Commission) Democratic commissioners to push the Commission into a more enforcement-minded posture and to think creatively and expansively about the enforcement tools the Commission has at its disposal. Thus it seems appropriate to give equal time … Continue Reading

Regulators Issue Warning: These Products Cannot Treat Coronavirus

Photo of Amy Ralph MudgePhoto of Matthew RenickBy Amy Ralph Mudge and Matthew Renick on Posted in FTC
Last week at our #BakerDigitalForum (BakerHostetler’s forum on advertising, e-commerce, data privacy & security law) we heard from Richard Cleland, assistant director, Advertising Practices, for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. He informed attendees that the FTC’s priorities often come from the headlines, citing COVID-19 as the first example of current events … Continue Reading

The FTC, AI and Algorithms

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in FTC
If you got past the title to this point, congratulations – not sure that we would have. In exchange for your trust, we promise to try to address a complicated and fascinating subject in a relatively clear manner. That’s pretty much what Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did in a recent … Continue Reading

FTC on Influencers and Consumer Reviews from the NAD Conference

Photo of Matthew RenickBy Matthew Renick on Posted in Advertising, FTC
Earlier this week at the National Advertising Division (NAD) annual advertising law conference, Mamie Kresses, a senior attorney in the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Advertising Practices division at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), offered her views on influencers and consumer reviews, two topics near and dear to our hearts. We wanted to share some key … Continue Reading

Are Made in USA Chickens Worthless? These and Other Deep Questions from the FTC’s Made in USA Workshop

Photo of Amy Ralph MudgePhoto of Randal M. ShaheenBy Amy Ralph Mudge and Randal M. Shaheen on Posted in FTC
Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a half-day workshop looking at Made in USA claims and the FTC’s guidance and enforcement. For those who want to watch “all or substantially all” of the event, the videos and materials can be accessed here. Some highlights and suggested next steps are below. By way of general background, … Continue Reading

Lead Generation Leads to FTC Settlement

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in FTC
There is nothing particularly new about the idea of lead generation in marketing. Companies have from the very beginning paid their own employees or paid others to help find prospects for their goods and services. However, in today’s digital world and with the myriad different ways in which consumer information is gathered, the use of … Continue Reading

FTC MUSA Remedy Wars Continue

Photo of Randal M. ShaheenPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgeBy Randal M. Shaheen and Amy Ralph Mudge on Posted in FTC
We recently wrote about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) recent approval of a pair of Made in USA (MUSA) settlements. It is also worth noting that the approvals drew a statement and a dissent from the Commission’s Democrats and a concurrence from Chairman Simons. As is often now the case, the dispute made its way … Continue Reading

20 Years Young: The Maturing of COPPA in a Privacy-Conscious Age

Photo of Carolina AlonsoPhoto of Amy Ralph MudgePhoto of Taylor A. BloomBy Carolina Alonso, Alan L. Friel, Amy Ralph Mudge and Taylor A. Bloom on Posted in Advertising, COPPA
We cover children’s privacy and advertising weekly. However, in light of COPPA’s recent 20th anniversary, and in the wake of CARU’s biggest-yet West Coast CARU conference, ADLaw has enlisted CARU super lawyer Katie Goldstein* to help us recap the past 2.5 decades of KIDlaw. 1998: A Concern for Children’s Privacy Was Born From the moment home … Continue Reading
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