Advertising agencies are potentially liable to the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive acts or practices, along with their clients. The FTC will consider numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the extent to...more
Plaintiff Says Splenda 100% Natural Ad Claims Leave a Bitter Taste - A class action lawsuit accuses the makers of Splenda Naturals Stevia, a sugar alternative, of misleading consumers with the claim that the product is...more
It’s that time of year again—Ad Law Symposium is back! Please join us in DC for this highly anticipated event focused on providing you with the information you need to promote your brand with confidence. Combining the...more
The end of a year and the beginning of a new one can be a time of reflection and a time for thinking about the future and what it may hold. It is a time for making lists of resolutions, goals, and aspirations...more
While the modalities of advertising may change, advertising’s core tenant of claims substantiation remains an unwavering constant. As such, legal and regulatory professionals in marketing and advertising set their calendars...more
Kardashian Kopycat? Energy Drink Company Claims Competitor Stole Kim's Copyrighted Look - The Instagram posts look nearly identical, in a blink-and-you'll-miss-the-difference kind of way—or so says the complaint filed by...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to evidence a strong commitment to bringing enforcement actions against false or deceptive US-origin marketing claims. In short, to avoid landing on the wrong side of such an...more
On April 13, the Federal Trade Commission issued Notices of Penalty Offenses and cover letters to close to 700 advertisers of OTC drugs, homeopathic products, dietary supplements, and functional foods, putting them on notice...more
In April 2023, the Federal Trade Commission announced a number of consumer protection actions and inquiries involving an important U.S. Supreme Court Ruling regarding the ability of defendants in FTC and SEC actions to raise...more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has put hundreds of advertisers on notice that they should avoid misleading consumers with ads that make product claims that cannot be substantiated. In notices sent to approximately 670...more
The FTC sent out new penalty offense notices to 670 companies today, warning them that failure to substantiate product claims could result in civil penalties of more than $50,000. The companies also received copies of the...more
Environmental marketing claims often present something of a Catch-22—companies that are doing actual good for the environment deserve to reap the benefits of their efforts, and consumers deserve to know, while at the same...more
February 2023 has been a busy couple of months at the Federal Trade Commission. High-profile consumer protection actions and announcements span a broad spectrum of digital advertising and marketing. From “review hijacking,...more
Hosted by American Institute, the 6th Annual Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Forum on Advertising Claims Substantiation returns for another exciting year with curated programming that shines a spotlight on finding solutions...more
In December 2022, the the Federal Trade Commission published new guidance regarding representations about the benefits and safety of health-related products: Health Products Compliance Guidance. Federal Trade Commission...more
Alcohol beverage companies must contend with an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, including unpacking the new environment under US President Joe Biden’s executive order on competition. How do you differentiate as a brand...more
As alcohol products compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace, how do you differentiate as a brand while being mindful of regulatory landmines? Join us for the second webinar in our Alcohol Quarterly Update Series on...more
Even before COVID-19 had turned each of us into an amateur epidemiologist, companies in nearly every industry had begun to recognize the magnetic appeal of health and wellness claims in consumer advertising. Marketers of...more
In an attempt to align with their clients’ values, a growing number of businesses are selling products that are “ethically” sourced or “sustainable.” Both the US and the EU have started to monitor such claims and take...more
Comparative safety claims can be a powerful advertising tool, especially when regarding products consumers cannot test themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that these claims are made with sound proof. ...more
On March 28, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), issued warning letters to Advanced Spine and Pain, LLC, Nutra Pure, LLC, and PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. The...more
On March 18, 2019, the Washington Court of Appeals upheld a trial court’s decision that three advertising campaigns for 5-Hour Energy® made by Living Essentials, LLP and Innovative Ventures, LLP (collectively, Living...more
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers often tout the anti-aging effects of certain cosmetics and nutritional supplements. Of course, the term “anti-aging” is not intended to literally mean that a product prevents aging. ...more
Hungry to prevent more companies from selling allegedly bogus weight loss products, the FTC has settled yet another false advertising suit against various sellers of diet pills, in a case similar to February’s Sale Slash...more