Newsletters

10.27.16

New in False Advertising Suits: "Natural" Claims, Healthy Beverages

Demonstrating that the focus on health-related claims has not abated, two new class actions were filed challenging the "natural" labels for deli meat claims which implied that a sugar-filled beverage was a healthy drink for consumers.


10.25.16

Federal Circuit After Stryker/Halo

On June 13, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the consolidated cases of Stryker Corp. v. Zimmer, Inc. and Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Pulse Electronics, Inc. and, as had been widely anticipated, overturned the Federal Circuit's "inelastic" Seagate standard for awarding enhanced ...


10.20.16

YouTube Adds Sponsored Content Notification Feature

To help influencers achieve compliance with the necessary disclosures about their relationships with advertisers, YouTube has unveiled a new tool to provide notice to viewers about sponsored content.


10.14.16

Manatt Attorneys Tapped for 38th BAA Marketing Law Conference

Linda Goldstein, Marc Roth and Richard Lawson are featured speakers at the Brand Activation Association’s upcoming 38th annual Marketing Law Conference.


10.06.16

Suit Over Block Voting on Reviews Moves Forward

A Lanham Act suit brought by a competitor over a company's efforts to minimize negative consumer reviews will move forward, a Utah federal court judge has ruled.


10.06.16

NAD Takes on "Natural" Deodorant Claims in Spite of Jurisdictional Challenge

The maker of Tom's of Maine antiperspirants and deodorants plans to appeal to the National Advertising Review Board after the National Advertising Division recommended it discontinue "Natural" claims.


09.29.16

CARU: Sponsored Videos Need Clear, Prominent Audio Disclosures

Taking a stand on social media influencers and the “unboxing” video trend, the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) recommended that popular YouTube channels starring a ten-year-old and his family add a prominent audio disclosure before each new sponsored video.


09.22.16

Consumer Groups Urge FTC Action on Influencers

Consumer groups are urging the Federal Trade Commission to review comments by social media influencers for possible violations of the agency's guidance regarding nondisclosed native advertising.


09.15.16

FTC Gives Academic Journals a Failing Grade

The Federal Trade Commission recently filed suit against the publisher of online academic journals that the agency accused of deceiving academics and researchers.


09.08.16

NAD Recommends Goop Lifestyle Blog Clean up Its Claims

Gwyneth Paltrow's agreement to discontinue her lifestyle blog Goop for a line of dietary supplements following an inquiry by the National Advertising Division provided an important reminder about endorsements.