PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Sweepstakes and Contests
As a whirlwind 2024 draws to a close, we here at BakerHostetler are reflecting on the promotions trends we’ve seen this year and what we predict you will see more of in 2025. Below, we pinpoint those trends and share some...more
Earlier this year, Coinbase ran a Bitcoin sweepstakes promotion offering the chance to win one of six prizes, with the top two prizes amounting to the equivalent of $1,000 USD in Bitcoin (along with merchandise and event...more
Last month, Philadelphia’s District Attorney sued Elon Musk over his political action committee’s sweepstakes to award a $1 million daily prize to swing-state voters who pledged to support the Constitution, alleging that the...more
In a significant regulatory development, the UAE has established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The GCGRA’s creation signals a shift in the legal landscape of commercial gaming in the region,...more
In today’s digital marketing landscape, brands frequently leverage promotions like sweepstakes and contests to engage consumers, build brand loyalty, and expand their audiences. While both are popular strategies, the legal...more
Elon Musk's Surprising Defense to $1MM Election Giveaway - In a stunning argument to the PA Attorney General’s claim that Elon Musk’s $1MM Election Giveaway is an illegal lottery, yesterday Musk’s lawyer’s argued that it...more
Earlier this week, Philadelphia’s District Attorney sued Elon Musk over his political action committee’s sweepstakes to award a $1 million daily prize to swing-state voters who pledge to support the Constitution. The lawsuit...more
In a follow up to my previous post Who Needs Rules? Elon’s Election $1MM A Day Giveaway, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a Civil Action today in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County seeking an injunction to...more
Recently, Elon Musk launched a promotion on X (formerly Twitter). The promotion, however, doesn’t follow the rules that are typically required with promotions. Here’s the ad:...more
This week, 14 Attorneys General have sued TikTok challenging its practices. If you are a sponsor who currently has a sweepstakes or contest running on TikTok, or if you’re considering one, you may be asking yourself what can...more
Unbeknownst to me (until yesterday), Fat Bear Week has been a big event for the past ten years. As far as I can tell, it’s like a reality show in which the contestants are bears, instead of humans. And unlike some human...more
Unique and highly coveted prizes provide an effective means for brands to drive consumer engagement with sweepstakes and promotional contests. Because prizes serve as the lure to entice consumers, sweepstakes operators have...more
Conducting a sweepstakes promotion through a social media venue provides businesses with a potent marketing combination: Sweepstakes sponsors can increase engagement with their social media accounts, while increasing brand...more
Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published the FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others....more
This week Donald J. Trump announced that “Back by popular demand” he’s offering his new (Series 4) Trump Digital Trading Cards (NFTs). Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I went to the website to review the offer and...more
By awarding prizes in connection with a sweepstakes promotion, a business can generate valuable publicity and goodwill. This is especially true when the sweepstakes sponsor is able to publish the name and/or likeness of the...more
The allure of prizes offered in a sweepstakes promotion can be an effective means of attracting consumers to a brand and/or its specific products/services. This is especially true when the prize in question involves...more
The impact of social media is undeniable in today’s society. Whether it is utilized for personal use, maintaining family connections, or capitalizing on the latest trends, social media is interwoven into the fabric of...more
On May 23, 2024, the United States Supreme Court decided Coinbase, Inc., v. Suski, No. 23-3, serving a reminder to companies with mandatory consumer-facing arbitration provisions that contractual consistency is a key to...more
"Promotions aren't just about the likes, they're about the law," is the caption that accompanies the UK Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) recent decision to charge nine influencers in connection with the promotion on social...more
In a case that has been closely watched by the charitable sector, on June 3, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued a decision blocking a race-based grant program that provided funds and mentorship to...more
“Slick Willie” Sutton knew why he robbed banks – “Because that’s where the money is.” Likewise, there is money to be made in running sweepstakes. The question arises for the intrepid entrepreneur – why not just sell anything...more
On April 11, 2024, New York Senator Joe Addabbo introduced a bill proposing major changes to New York’s fantasy sports law. S9044 seeks to alter the landscape of fantasy sports contests in New York in several ways. As our...more
Sweepstakes promotions can be valuable tools for businesses seeking to attract new customers. Unlike static ads, newsletter sign-ups and other basic website registration forms, sweepstakes incentivize consumers to provide...more
The CFTC’s proposed rules specify that certain event contracts involving gaming (such as political contests, awards contests, and sports competitions), war, terrorism, assassination, and unlawful activities under federal or...more