Competition in the world of online sales is intense, but companies that used inflated original prices to lure customers face consequences. JC Penny, for example, has been hit with a class action lawsuit in the Southern District of California over its alleged advertising practice of using “false reference pricing.” The three-count complaint claims the nationwide … Continue Reading
The author would like to thank John Hodges and Elisa Li for their contributions to this post. The emergence of blockchain-supported Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has captured the interest of the entertainment and business worlds in the past couple of years. Large digital transactions like that of Beeple NFT that sold for $69 million and the ever-mounting numbers … Continue Reading
Over the past few years the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been actively taking steps to address consumer protection concerns with sponsorships and endorsements within social media posts that have not been clearly disclosed. Indeed, the scale of the issue was highlighted in the Influencer Monitoring Report, published in March 2021 by another … Continue Reading
Last month, in an important ruling for Internet service providers, and anonymous users alike, a new defense is taking shape to subpoenas issued pursuant to the “unmasking” provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). Specifically, in In re DMCA § 512(h) Subpoena to Twitter, Inc., N.D. Cal. Case No. 20-mc-80214, district judge Vince Chhabria … Continue Reading
E-commerce platforms are full of Chinese traders selling foreign cosmetic products they purchased at a lower price outside China. These branded goods are sold without the trademark owner’s consent for a much lower price than that of the official retailer. The consequences of such so-called “parallel imports” are well-known: the foreign brand and its official … Continue Reading
In a potentially industry-changing ruling, Judge Gilliam of the Northern District of California ruled that amendments to click-wrap agreements, like Dropbox’s terms of use, are invalid unless the user had to manifest assent through some act more than continued use of the service: Defendant essentially argues that it contracted for the right to change the … Continue Reading
Since 12 July 2020, the Platform to Business Regulation has been directly applicable in the UK and all EU member states. However, with Brexit worries and the COVID-19 crisis having an ongoing impact on business in the digital sector, the new rules have passed many by. Now is the time to ensure compliance. The Regulation … Continue Reading
The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has recently launched its “Small Print, Big Difference” campaign which encourages travel businesses to be upfront and clear with consumer customers. Although the campaign has been launched with a holiday and travel focus (following the CMA’s investigation into online hotel booking websites), and is supported by ABTA, many … Continue Reading
The EU Consumer Rights Directive (the Directive) came into force in 2011 and was implemented in the UK by the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellations and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. Its aim is to protect consumers when shopping ‘away from business premises’, and is often most applicable when shopping online. It sets out minimum information requirements … Continue Reading
In a press release published on February 14th, 2019, the European Commission announced, as part of the Digital Single Market strategy, a draft regulation aimed at creating a fair, transparent and predictable business environment for businesses and traders when using online platforms. The new rules are underpinned by an impact assessment that incorporates evidence and … Continue Reading
Both the importance of online sales and their scrutiny by antitrust regulators in the EU show no signs of abating. The European Commission’s (EC) E-commerce report, published in May 2017, highlighted the shift in the online commerce market, specifically noting an increase in the use of selective distribution models (where brand owners require their products … Continue Reading
In early December 2018, the Geo-Blocking Regulation 2018/302 (the Regulation) came into force across the EU, with the aim of creating a single digital market by banning unjustified geo-blocking (the blocking of access to websites to individuals based in certain territories) and other forms of discrimination based on customers’ nationality, place of residence or establishment … Continue Reading
Counterfeit goods now account for up to 2.5% of world trade and 5% of imports in the EU and are a significant problem for many industries in a rapidly evolving digital world. As businesses are aware, tackling IP infringements in counterfeit goods by law enforcement alone is not always effective. Therefore, it will be welcome … Continue Reading
The legal status of cryptocurrency token airdrops under U.S. securities regulations remains a topic of great interest. Many issuers wonder if they might use airdrops to avoid scrutiny of their token under U.S. securities regulations. While the definitive answer remains unsettled, a recent order from the SEC suggests it may (rightly or wrongly) treat airdrops … Continue Reading
On February 6, 2018, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and CFTC Chairman Christopher Giancarlo provided testimony on virtual currencies to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Below we provide a summary of the written statements and testimony and analysis for participants in the virtual currency and blockchain spaces. New Possibilities, New Risks Takeaway: … Continue Reading
The European Commission has issued a press release announcing that the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have reached a political agreement to end unjustified geoblocking for consumers wishing to buy products or services online within the EU. Geoblocking occurs when a customer is treated differently based on their nationality, place of residence or location … Continue Reading
In a decision dated 19 October 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has provided much needed clarification on a long-standing issue in EU data protection law. A German politician brought an action concerning websites operated by the Federal Republic of Germany that stored personal data, including IP addresses, on logfiles for two weeks. … Continue Reading
UK businesses selling goods or services to consumers need to be aware of some new consumer protection legislation that is now in force. The legislation requires these businesses to give certain information to their customers and to revise their complaints handling procedures. The legislation originates from the EU meaning that businesses established in other EU … Continue Reading
The .SUCKS registry is perhaps the most controversial of the new generic top level domains (gTLDs), which the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has continued to roll out. Trademark owners should be aware of the .SUCKS registry and factor it into their trademark protection strategy. Yet the first “sucking” noise brand owners … Continue Reading
With much publicity, the FCC recently released its Open Internet Order laying out the its revised net neutrality rules. In an historic change of position, the Order, among other things, (1) reclassifies retail broadband internet access as subject to “common carrier” regulations, (2) imposes prohibits from giving preferred customers a “fast lane” to end-user customers, … Continue Reading
Eric Goldman’s Technology and Marketing Law blog has an interesting piece this morning on how companies have succeeded and failed with their click through terms of use. The piece reviews several recent cases with varying results. The upshot: Making sure web users actually click on something that says they have read and agree to … Continue Reading
Companies typically include a “Terms of Use” on their websites, which essentially serves as a contract between the company and the website user regarding the user’s use of the website. Online Terms of Use are typically presented to consumers in a couple of different forms (more on that below). Companies with websites targeted to U.S. … Continue Reading
UK consumer protection laws change again today (1 October). The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (the “Regulations”) come into force. They give consumers a new direct right of redress against traders who commit certain breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUT). This development shifts the balance of power in favour of … Continue Reading
What is it? A new top-level domain name (TLD) permitting registration of (brand).LONDON, with priority given to London businesses, organisations and individuals. Anyone with a presence or interest in London should consider seeking to register a .LONDON domain name. It is expected that domain names will be allocated by August or September 2014. Who is … Continue Reading
