The Advertising Law Blog provides commentary and news on developing legal issues in advertising, promotional marketing, Internet, and privacy law. This blog is sponsored by the Advertising, Marketing & Promotions group at Olshan. The practice is geared to servicing the needs of the advertising, promotional marketing, and digital industries with a commitment to providing personal, efficient and effective legal service.
The Washington AG alleged ArrowOutlet.com rigged its auctions for electronics and other goods. Bidders thought they were competing with other human beings. But in reality they were often battling or placing bets against "bots" - people that did not exist.
Commercial text messengers, take note: an Alabama-based bank avoided a federal lawsuit by putting an arbitration clause in its terms and conditions.
By William MacDonald*
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Institute of Standards and Technology recently unveiled an updated beta version of the web-based IP Awareness Assessment Tool, which is designed to help manufacturers, small businesses, entrepreneurs and independent inventors easily assess their knowledge of intellectual property (IP) as it relates to their IP asset protection needs.
By William MacDonald*
In response to alleged industry inaction, Senator Jay Rockefeller (who plans to retire at the end of next year) recently reintroduced a bill, the "Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013", that would require all Web browsers, online companies, and app makers to give users a choice of opting-out of being tracked online.
By William MacDonald*
A recent settlement with HTC America, a major mobile device manufacturer, illustrates that the FTC's interest in securing such payment systems isn't just academic.
On March 12, 2013 the Federal Trade Commission released an update of its guidance known as Dot Com Disclosures, which was first released in 2000.
By William MacDonald*
Yesterday Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced a $7 million settlement with Google over its unauthorized collection of data from unsecured wireless networks nationwide through Google's Street View vehicles.
By William MacDonald*
The FTC notes that mobile payment systems, which are gaining popularity, can provide innovative and convenient options for consumers. The report, however, highlights three primary areas of potential concern for consumers.
Olshan's Andrew Lustigman is featured in Digiday's article, "Brands Biggest Legal Problems in Digital".
The categories in the 2012 Annual Report are important as they typically portend future FTC scrutiny and enforcement for businesses in such areas.