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
As we wait to see how the Supreme Court will rule on the FTC’s redress authority and whether the FTC will potentially be controlled by Republicans or Democrats for at least the next four years, it is worth noting that Commissioner Chopra and one of his attorney advisors has written an interesting draft paper advocating … Continue Reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
We recently blogged here about the FTC and states combating scams, price gouging and deceptive ads, and our antitrust group issued an alert on navigating antitrust issues in the wake of COVID-19. Today, we write to provide updates about the recent focus on price gouging and how you can set prices in these difficult times … Continue Reading
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
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
I am making my annual pilgrimage next week to bring my mother to the Westminster Dog Show. We need to stay and eat near Madison Square Garden, as she likes to be very close to all the action; plus, there is a chance we might be in the same hotel as Wilma the champion Boxer, … Continue Reading
Yogi Berra did indeed once famously say, “It’s not over till it’s over.” (Actually, he said, “It ain’t,” but that would not have survived the proofreader’s scrutiny). Facebook must be thinking that too when it comes to its settlement with the FTC. Just to recap briefly: On July 24, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ), … Continue Reading
How many times have you felt the thrill of buying a lottery ticket? What about the excitement before opening a sealed pack of baseball cards or the curiosity before diving for a mystery prize in a cereal box? Now imagine digitalized versions of all these items – in your favorite video game – and they’re … Continue Reading
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
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
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
We have practiced in the consumer protection space collectively for more than 50 years and have not once had occasion to consult the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC or Commission) Nursery Guides. Perhaps then it is no surprise that the FTC has decided that after 40 years it was time to say goodbye to the guides. … Continue Reading
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
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
Administrations come and administrations go, but the FTC and self-regulation have had a long-running love affair. But can there be too much of a good thing? The FTC has long been an enthusiastic cheerleader and active supporter of self-regulatory programs such as NAD. And the bloom doesn’t appear to be off that rose. However, a … Continue Reading
Imagine you are playing golf, badly, and at the fourth hole a caddy appears out of nowhere with a large box and an offer. In exchange for $20, you can open the box, which may contain high-tech clubs to improve your game, fashionable new gloves or a voucher for a free round. Perhaps you hesitate, … Continue Reading
Recognizing the rapid growth and penetration of dietary supplements into all demographics of American consumers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is viewing at least some dietary supplements as belonging to “the Wild West,” and intends to be Wyatt Earp. Or supplements are the Wild Wild West and the FDA is Will Smith, if that’s … Continue Reading
The multiverse is abuzz about the recent Third Circuit ViroPharma decision and other like-minded courts that have placed significant limitations on the ability of the Federal Trade Commission to obtain an injunction in federal court against allegedly unlawful behavior that companies have already ceased. The FTC Act as originally written required that the agency bring … Continue Reading