Advertising Law Blog

Our fast-moving webinar discussed key issues involving marketing and business practices in the current environment.

Online children’s education company Age of Learning, Inc., also doing business as ABCmouse, has agreed to pay $10 million to settle the FTC’s charges that it made it difficult and confusing for subscribers to cancel their memberships.  The settlement highlights the importance of a compliant subscription enrollment pathway, including readily-accessible cancellation processes.  It also highlights a growing focus by regulators and others on “dark patterns” online marketing techniques.

As we have previously reported, like other regulators, the FTC has been quick to take action against companies that it believes are seeking to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic. The FTC has sent warning letters to approximately 300 companies that it has alleged were making unsubstantiated or potentially misleading claims about products related to the coronavirus. Recently, the FTC has taken decisive action against a company to which it has previously sent a warning letter, alleging that such company has continued to make deceptive and misleading advertising claims in spite of the FTC’s warning.

The importance of timely delivery remains a top priority, particularly when making enhanced delivery promises. In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FTC has filed complaints against three online merchandisers it believes have failed to deliver on quick shipping promises in contravention of the FTC’s Mail, Internet and Telephone Order Rule, commonly known as the Mail Order Sales Rule.

In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have turned to online sweepstakes and promotions as a means of both promoting their brand and showing support to coronavirus relief efforts. Certainly, sweepstakes and promotions can be an effective way to achieve these dual purposes.   As we previously reported, brands that have hastily run promotions without thinking through the consequences of various events have run into a firestorm of negative publicity as well as potential class actions.  Making sure that the promotion incorporates the items below can help ensure that a promotion is legal, properly structured, and contains appropriate protections for the brand.

Andrew Lustigman, head of Olshan’s Advertising, Marketing & Promotions Practice Group, was featured in a Companies Digest article comprising assessments by leading business law attorneys.

The New York Law Journal published an Expert Opinion article authored by attorneys Andrew Lustigman and Morgan Spina, entitled “Avoiding Viral Fashion Promotion Malfunctions.”

Andrew Lustigman, head of Olshan’s Advertising, Marketing & Promotions Practice Group, was quoted in The Legal Examiner on the recent class action lawsuit filed against TikTok by a group of parents who are suing the social media app under allegations that it illegally collects and shares identification information to send to China.

Andrew Lustigman, head of Olshan’s Advertising, Marketing & Promotions Practice Group, was quoted in AdAge (subscription required) regarding the impending ban that may happen to TikTok and how it would affect the brands that use the platform to publish its advertisements.

Olshan Advertising & Marketing attorneys have authored a comprehensive Q&A, published by The Legal 500, which can be used as a general key to the legal framework and issues that surround the pharmaceutical advertising law in the United States. The attorneys that contributed to this Q&A include the Chair of Advertising, Marketing and Promotions Group Andrew Lustigman and attorneys, Safia Anand, and Morgan Spina. 

Click here for The Legal 500: Pharmaceutical Advertising Comparative Guide:United States: Pharmaceutical Advertising Q&A