The Bottom Line Online cash advance provider FloatMe Corp. will pay $3 million as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegations of unfair and deceptive tactics against customers. The settlement, announced January 22 by the FTC, came after the Continue Reading
FTC Sends Notices of Penalty Offense to More Than 700 Companies
The Bottom Line The FTC continues to explore its myriad of enforcement options, most recently by using its Penalty Offense Authority under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) to put more than 700 companies on notice that they could incur significant civil penalties (up to Continue Reading
FTC Can No Longer Seek Monetary Penalties for Violations of Unfair or Deceptive Practices
The Bottom Line The Supreme Court has found that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can no longer rely on Section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) in order to seek monetary penalties for violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act for “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or Continue Reading
FTC Takes Action Against Marketer for Violating the Mail Order Rule and Engaging in Deceptive Commercial Practices
The Bottom Line The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against SuperGoodDeals.com, Inc. (SuperGoodDeals) and the company’s owner, Kevin Lipsitz, alleging that the defendants falsely promised next-day shipping of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Continue Reading
1-800 Contacts Unlawfully Restricted Competitors’ Trademark Use In Search Engine Marketing
The Bottom Line The FTC has made clear that some common online advertising methods, such as bidding on a competitor’s trademark in search engine marketing, may not always be contracted away, especially when they result in restricting consumers’ access to competitive pricing information. Parties Continue Reading
Battling the Real “Fake News”: FTC Reaches Multi-Million Dollar Settlement with Internet Marketers for False Celebrity Endorsements
The Bottom Line The FTC's settlement with the Defendants allegedly engaged in these deceptive marketing practices serves as a reminder that the parties responsible for online advertising using public figures’ names and images without authorization can be identified and stopped, and that those Continue Reading
FTC Charges Online Negative Option Marketing Scheme with Deceiving Shoppers
The Bottom Line The FTC’s complaint, and the district court’s response, highlight the continuing regulatory scrutiny into negative option marketing practices and the importance of disclosing the material terms of an offer in a clear and conspicuous manner to consumers before they pay or incur a Continue Reading