In January 2022, the Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the company engaged iHeartMedia DJs to provide endorsements for its Pixel 4 phone, even though they had never used it. In November 2022, the FTC and several state attorneys general announced settlements with Google and iHeartMedia over the same conduct. Although
Top Advertising Law Developments in 2022
If you follow our blog, you already know that there have been a number of significant developments in the world of advertising law over the past 12 months. In this post, we highlight ten of those developments and consider what they might mean for the future.
- Dark Patterns: Any practices that could manipulate or mislead
Lawsuit Over Crypto Promotion Targets Celebrity Endorsements
Imagine a “vast scheme between a blockchain start-up company,” a “highly-connected Hollywood talent agent,” and a “front operation,” who all united “for the purpose of promoting and selling a suite of digital assets.” No, that’s not the plot of a Hollywood movie – at least not yet – but it is the plot of a
FTC and States Settle with Google and iHeartMedia Over Misleading Endorsements
In January, we reported that the Texas Attorney General had filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the company engaged iHeartMedia DJs to provide endorsements for its Pixel 4 phone, even though they had never used it. This week, the FTC and several state attorneys general announced settlements with Google and iHeartMedia over the same
Breaking Up with Celebrities
We all know a person that can be unpredictable and erratic. It can be fun to hang out with that person occasionally, because you’ll likely have funny stories to share with your friends the next morning, but you probably wouldn’t want to be married to them, because those same stories are less funny when you
NAD Addresses Disclosure Requirements for Paid Studies
Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico advertised that it has the “best network” and the “best coverage” in Puerto Rico and disclosed that the claims were based on an “independent study” conducted by Global Wireless Solutions (or “GWS”). Although T-Mobile didn’t challenge the results of the study, it argued that because Liberty had paid GWS to conduct
TINA.org Urges Investigation into Hello Fresh
TINA.org recently announced that it had filed complaints with the FTC and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, urging them to investigate Hello Fresh’s marketing practices related to a campaign advertising “free” meals in order to encourage consumers to sign up for a subscription. The complaints touch on a number of issues we post about
FTC Proposes Changes to Endorsement Guides with Expanded Liability and More Onerous Disclosure Requirements
In addition to announcing a new COPPA policy statement and related “crackdown” on children’s privacy issues (discussed here) in its most recent open meeting, the FTC also proposed changes to the FTC’s Endorsement Guides. The changes would build on and expand previous guidance, including by expressly extending liability to endorsers, intermediaries, and platforms
Texas AG Sues Google over Misleading Endorsements
When a company uses an influencer or other person to endorse the company’s products, it’s important that endorsement reflects the endorser’s honest opinions, beliefs, or experiences with the products. Of course, in order for that to happen, the endorser must have actually used the products. This week, the Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against
Where to Find More Info on the FTC’s Top Rules for 2022
Last week, Jessica Rich wrote about the FTC’s rulemaking plans for 2022. Make sure you read that post for a detailed analysis of what the Commission is planning. As we looked at which of those topics have generated the most interest on Ad Law Access recently, we wanted to point you to