Andrew Lustigman and Morgan Spina Publish Article in the New York Law Journal on FTC’s Proposed New Rules for Businesses Selling Subscriptions Heighten Compliance Obligations

FTC’s Proposed New Rules for Businesses Selling Subscriptions Heighten Compliance Obligations, published in The New York Law Journal Read More ›

FTC Proposes Revisions to its Endorsement Guides and .com Guidance

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is set to issue updates to both its Endorsement Guides and .com Disclosure Guidance. The proposed updates to both guidance documents signifies the FTC’s ongoing attention to online and social media advertising, as the regulator takes steps to bring its guidance into focus with contemporary advertising issues. Read More ›

DOJ Issues Guidance on ADA Website Accessibility

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181, et seq., prohibits discrimination against individuals “on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." Among other things, ADA Title III requires places of public accommodation and other commercial facilities—restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, and other businesses—to be designed, constructed, and altered in a manner that permits broad accessibility to persons with disabilities, and provides individuals with a private right of action for discrimination in violation of its regulations. Remedies for discrimination in violation of ADA Title III include injunctive relief compelling compliance with ADA accessibility standards, as well as reasonable attorney’s fees awarded to a successful plaintiff. Read More ›

California Court Considering Awarding $141.5 Million Over Falsely Marketed Health Drink

Juice Joint facing catastrophic liability after jury decides against it on the merits

Faced with a series of class-action lawsuits over its Joint Juice drink, Premier Nutrition Corp. has lost the first jury trial and is now fighting back against what could be a devastating financial blow if it loses a post-trial motion scheduled to be heard next month in the Northern District of California. The company was found by a jury to have falsely touted the health benefits of the drink, so the issue is no longer whether the claims were defensible, but how much the marketer will have to pay to the class of purchasers. Read More ›

Telemarketing Sales Rule May Be Expanded to Cover B2B Conduct

FTC likely to eliminate the exemption

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is considering a proposed amendment to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR”) that would broaden the rule’s scope by prohibiting material misrepresentations and false or misleading statements in business-to-business (“B2B”) transactions. Read More ›

41 States Commit To Working With FCC Against Robocalls

Source: NAAG Press Release

The National Association of Attorneys General (“NAAG”) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) on behalf of 41 states’ attorneys general commending the FCC for its leadership in combatting robocalls and sharing their commitment to working collaboratively with the FCC via information-sharing agreements. The lead states in this effort are Colorado, Tennessee and North Carolina. Read More ›

Alleged Creator of Fake Reviews Sued in Federal Court

Facebook joins Amazon in pursuing reviews for sale

Facebook, through its parent company Meta, has filed a federal lawsuit against a company that allegedly produces and sells fake reviews and feedback for ads designed to increase an advertiser’s Facebook Customer Feedback Score. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California against Chad Taylor Cowan of Australia, who does business under the name Customer Feedback Score Solutions. Read More ›

Data Entry Error on Phone Number Blocks Class Certification

TCPA liability reduced to $500 for Gold’s Gym

A recent ruling out of the Central District of California will prove to be very useful for telemarketers faced with class actions under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). In Bustillos v. West Covina Corporate Fitness, Inc., United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld, Jr. denied an order seeking class certification where it was clear that the call in question violated the TCPA. Read More ›

FTC Once Again Focuses on Earnings Claims

FTC's recent actions regarding earnings claims makes clear that the agency is focused on challenging earnings claims, particularly those that are atypical. Read More ›

Olshan Advertising and Branding Law Groups' Key Issues in 2022

Happy holidays! We hope you are safe and healthy. As we enter the new year, Olshan’s Advertising and Branding law groups shares their list of hot topics that look to be on the horizon for 2022. If you have any questions on these or other issues, please reach out to us.  Read More ›