On October 1, 2020, New York state implemented a ban on businesses charging a “pink tax” for their products or services. The new law prohibits any individual or entity, including retailers, suppliers, manufacturers or distributors, from charging a different price for two “substantially similar” goods or services based on the gender for whom the goods or services are marketed.
Continue Reading New York Implements “Pink Tax” Ban
On March 6, 2020, the FTC announced a settlement with Teami, LLC and its owners over allegations that the company falsely promoted its Teami brand tea products as capable of curing serious health conditions and causing significant weight loss, supported by endorsements by well-known social media influencers who did not adequately disclose that they were being paid to promote their products.
Continue Reading FTC targets Teami’s Unsupported Health Claims and Use of Social Media Influencers
In a challenge brought by Aquasana, Inc., the NAD determined that Advanced Purification Engineering Corp. (APEC), a manufacturer of water filtration systems, was not responsible for substantiating or correcting “Made in USA” claims made in customer reviews posted on third-party sites.
Continue Reading NAD Finds Responsibility for “Made In USA” Does Not Extend to Third-Party Customer Reviews
On January 30, 2019, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a unanimous 11-judge opinion striking down San Francisco’s ordinance mandating health warnings on ads for sugary drinks. The judicial panel found that San Francisco’s proposed law violated beverage companies’ First Amendment rights to free speech.
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Opinion Keeps San Francisco Health Warning On Ice
This past week, several consumer actions made headlines that affect the retail industry. Continue reading for our roundup.
Continue Reading Consumer Protection in Retail: Weekly Roundup
On June 11, 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled that American Pipe tolling does not extend to follow-on class actions brought after the statute of limitations period has run. This decision resolves a split between circuit courts over the question of whether a putative class member can rely on American Pipe to toll applicable statute of limitations to file a new class action in lieu of promptly joining an existing suit or filing an individual action.
Continue Reading Supreme Court Limits American Pipe Tolling for Consecutive Class Actions
This past week, several consumer actions made headlines that affect the retail industry. Continue reading for our weekly roundup.
Continue Reading Consumer Protection in Retail: Weekly Roundup
On August 7, 2017, the FTC announced that it obtained a court order temporarily halting an online marketing scheme that deceptively lured shoppers into expensive negative option plans. The FTC alleged that defendants used initial low-cost trial offers to hook consumers into expensive monthly shipments without properly disclosing the terms and conditions of the deal or properly obtaining their consent.
Continue Reading FTC Continues Crackdown on Misleading Online Marketing Tactics