Advertising Law

Judge Strikes Down La. Restrictions on Lawyer Internet Ads

A federal judge has upheld most of the new restrictions on advertising by Louisiana lawyers, but struck down two rules regulating Internet advertising. U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said Louisana’s Internet restrictions don’t account for differences between ads online and those in traditional media such as television, the Associated Press…

Aug 4, 2009 5:00 PM CDT

Fla. City to Pay $55K to Bait Shop Ticketed for Displaying US Constitution

Lawyers for the city of Clearwater had said the Florida municipality was on solid legal ground when it fined a local bait shop over a fish mural painted on an exterior wall of the business. But after two federal judges disagreed that the city’s sign ordinance was constitutional as applied,…

Jul 28, 2009 7:13 PM CDT

FTC to Crack Down on Bloggers Compensated for Posts

As more consumers head to their computers to evaluate the quality of products, the more companies have an interest in making sure their products shine online. What many consumers don’t realize is that companies more and more enlist the support of bloggers by offering forms of compensation and perks to…

Jun 22, 2009 5:15 PM CDT

Microsoft Sues 3 in Landmark ‘Click Fraud’ Web Ad Enforcement Case

In a lawsuit that reportedly may be the first of its kind, Microsoft has sued three individuals in the same family alleging that they fraudulently boosted the rankings of their auto insurance and World of Warcraft-related websites on the computer goliath’s search engine. At the time of the claimed Internet…

Jun 16, 2009 10:30 PM CDT

Challenge Likely for Law Limiting Tobacco Ads to Black-and-White Text

Tobacco advertisers would likely rather fight than switch their advertising efforts. Congress passed a law last week that requires print advertising in stores and many publications to contain only black-and-white text. Critics say the restriction will interfere with legitimate communication to adults, the New York Times reports. A second restriction…

Jun 16, 2009 4:29 PM CDT

‘Greenwashing’ Disputes Become Hot Area of False Advertising Law

There’s a hot new area of false advertising law: “greenwashing” lawsuits that claim companies are making false claims about the environmental benefits of their products. Greenwashing lawsuits are already on the increase, and there could be “an explosion in these kinds of cases,” lawyer Eric Lane of the Green Patent…

Jun 10, 2009 1:26 PM CDT

Woody Allen Settles Billboard Lawsuit Against American Apparel for $5M

A clothing company known for its racy advertising and aggressive litigation tactics has agreed to settle for $5 million a lawsuit by Woody Allen over its alleged unauthorized use of his image in a billboard campaign and Internet advertising. But Dov Charney, the founder and chief executive of American Apparel,…

May 18, 2009 5:52 PM CDT

Tweets Create Legal Issues for Lawyers and Employers

Although the social networking phenomenon is so new that best practices are still being developed, Twitter “tweets” are a potential litigation minefield for attorneys, their employers and other businesses. By answering, in 140 characters or less, the question “What are you doing now?” corporate and professional employees “may convey proprietary…

May 15, 2009 10:48 PM CDT

Woody Allen’s Wife and Ex Won’t Be on Witness List in Billboard Spat

Woody Allen may take the stand in a suit against American Apparel for using his image without permission, but his wife and ex-girlfriend won’t be called to testifiy. American Apparel lawyer Stuart Slotnick told Reuters that Allen’s ex-girlfriend Mia Farrow and her adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, now Allen’s wife, won’t…

May 15, 2009 4:23 PM CDT

Craigslist Will Drop Erotic Services Ads in Deal with Three State AGs

Facing pressure from attorneys general in three states, Craiglist has agreed to drop its erotic services advertising. The online classified ad website will replace the category with “adult” listings that will be reviewed by its employees, the Associated Press reports. Craigslist acted after meetings with attorneys general from Illinois, Connecticut…

May 13, 2009 3:40 PM CDT

FDA Warns General Mills over Cheerios Cholesterol Claims

The Food and Drug Administration has sent a letter to General Mills warning that cholesterol claims on the Cheerios box make the food a drug under federal law. The letter, posted on the FDA website, says Cheerios should file a new-drug application if it wants to continue claiming a cholesterol-lowering…

May 13, 2009 2:29 PM CDT

Woody Allen’s Reputation Isn’t Worth $10M, American Apparel Argues

A clothing manufacturer known for its edgy advertising and aggressive litigation tactics is now taking on Woody Allen. Sued by the director and actor for $10 million for allegedly using his image without permission on billboards and in an Internet advertising campaign, American Apparel Inc. contends that Allen’s image isn’t…

May 5, 2009 5:34 PM CDT

AGs Call for More Oversight of Web Ads After So-Called Craigslist Murder

A Boston medical student who allegedly attacked or robbed at least two women he met via ads they placed on Craigslist and is now charged with murdering one of them has sparked new calls for stricter oversight of the explicit sex ads for which the website is, in part, known.…

Apr 22, 2009 11:12 PM CDT

Consumer Group Sues Over Fla. Bar’s Client Testimonial Ban

A consumer group has sued the Florida Bar on behalf of an attorney who was told client testimonials on a third-party website violated the state’s lawyer advertising rules. The prohibition, which Boca Raton attorney Joel Rothman unsuccessfully appealed to the Florida Bar Board of Governors, prevents him from participating in…

Apr 2, 2009 7:35 PM CDT

Lawyer Who Sued Company CEO is Target of Claimed Cyber-Attack Campaign

In nearly 20 years as a trial lawyer, Keith Fink has encountered plenty of hardball litigation tactics. But the cyber attacks he has suffered since he began representing former employees of American Apparel in litigation against the company are unique. “I’ve never experienced it, I don’t know any lawyer that’s…

Jan 28, 2009 1:55 AM CST