Newsletters

02.07.11

Behavioral Advertising Suit Results in Split Decision

A Montana federal court dismissed claims under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) in a suit alleging that an Internet Service Provider (ISP) funneled its customers’ Internet traffic to a third party that then used the information for behavioral advertising, but the court ruled ...


12.28.10

New California Law Governs Auto Renewals

A new law took effect in California governing automatic renewals that requires companies to make greater disclosures and obtain affirmative consent from consumers prior to their being charged.


12.13.10

Antipiracy, Counterfeit Bill Heads to Full Senate

The Senate Judiciary Committee recently passed the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act by a unanimous vote, moving the legislation to the full Senate.


11.10.10

Energy Efficiency Critic Sues Over LEED Certification System

A self-proclaimed “energy efficiency maven” filed a class action against the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which governs LEED certification, in which he alleges that the Council engaged in false advertising and fraud, and committed antitrust and RICO violations.


10.26.10

Tech Companies Support Rush Privacy Bill; Other Bills in the Pipeline

Three major tech companies—eBay, Intel, and Microsoft—sent a letter to Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Il.) in support of his proposed privacy bill, the Best Practices Act.


10.14.10

“C” is for Cookie Lawsuits

Half a dozen lawsuits have been filed over the last few weeks against companies that use online cookies to track consumers’ browsing habits. 


09.21.10

SPECIAL FOCUS: EPA Decision Highlights Risks to Retailers Under FIFRA

A United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") administrative judge levied $409,490 in penalties against California-based retailer 99¢ Only Stores for selling pesticidal products that were either not registered with the EPA as required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, ...


09.15.10

FTC Settles Charges over Deceptive Reviews

In the first application of the new guidelines on testimonials and endorsements, the Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with a public relations firm accused of illegally advertising its clients’ gaming applications by having employees pose as consumers and post reviews on iTunes.


08.31.10

Legislators Seek Answers About Tracking Mechanisms

Reacting to a recent series of articles in The Wall Street Journal, Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Tex.) sent letters to 15 Internet companies questioning their practice of allowing third-party advertising companies to install cookies and other tracking mechanisms on ...


08.18.10

Gillette Settles Razor Ad Suit for $7.5 Million

A federal judge gave preliminary approval to a settlement in a multi-district class action suit against Gillette, accusing the company of misstating the efficacy of its M3 Power Razor in ads. Gillette agreed to pay $7.5 million.