43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

We are definitely not there yet. I don’t have a very strong position on whether misleadingness should be empirically or normatively assessed, but I do think courts should be clear on what they’re doing and not bounce unpredictably between the two concepts.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Lanham Act false advertising: Allen alleged that Toyota’s statements that “[t]he purchase. a breach of your dealer agreement” constituted false advertising because the agreement in fact allows for purchases of Toyota parts from other sources, including for non-warranty repairs.

Marketing 59

Marketing Marketing False Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

13, 2021) Not having a materiality or harm requirement really makes a difference in trademark cases compared to false advertising cases—look at the reasons this false advertising claim fails. AFC sued MedHelp for Lanham Act false advertising.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

12, 2022) An insurance coverage case about a false advertising claim that doesn’t turn on “advertising injury”! Did the undefined term “unfair trade practices” include consumer protection and false advertising? DBA Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. Endurance Am. N21C-10-100 MMJ CCLD, 2022 WL 4128608 (Del.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Settlement Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Plaintiff alleged that Stoma falsely advertised that its Capt-all device, which fits onto the end of a high volume evacuator valve, is an amalgam separator and EPA compliant. Both options require at least 95% removal efficiency; the former must use ANSI testing, while the latter must use sampling averages.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

MAY 19, 2023

Roblox sued for copyright infringement, false advertising, trademark infringement, false association and false designation of origin, trade dress infringement, intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, and false advertising and unfair competition under California law.

Copying 94

Copying False Advertising Social Media Advertising 94

43(B)log

AUGUST 25, 2022

The false advertising parts: Jeong alleged that Nexo advertised to consumers that it does not own users’ collateral (e.g., This allegedly breached Nexo’s duty of good faith and fair dealing and constituted a violation of California’s UCL. The court partially granted/denied Nexo’s motion to dismiss.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Ownership Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 25, 2021

This was allegedly still false and misleading, and First Databank allegedly falsely advertised that it “compile[s]” the relevant information in its database and for its coding determinations from the FDA and from manufacturers, such as Alfasigma. The database does not list any of Defendant’s own products or additional services.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Designs 72

43(B)log

JUNE 26, 2023

The underlying lawsuit asserted misappropriation of images and likenesses for advertising purposes under state law; violation of the Virginia business conspiracy statute; and violations of the Lanham Act for false advertising and false association.

Advertising 72

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Intellectual Property 72

43(B)log

DECEMBER 8, 2022

At trial, Republic alleged that HBI engaged in false advertising under the Lanham Act, unfair competition, and violations of the IUDTPA. It also rejected the Lanham Act false advertising claim, but found unfair competition and IUDTPA violations by HBI. What happens when Republic publicizes it?

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Editing 59

43(B)log

JUNE 15, 2022

Monster alleged that VPX falsely advertised Super Creatine as a source of creatine providing numerous physical and mental benefits, advertising that BANG can improve brain function, has anti-depressive effects, and helps build muscle. means, because none of the allegedly false statements actually said “source of creatine.”

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Contracts 59

43(B)log

MARCH 27, 2023

24, 2023) Courts in particular kinds of false advertising cases say that scientific claims are not falsifiable, even as the majority of workaday false advertising claims involving scientific fact are (correctly) treated as falsifiable. American Soc’y of Anesthesiologists, Inc., 4th -, 2023 WL 2621131, No. 22-1411 (3d Cir.

Journalism 111

Journalism False Advertising Advertising Advertising 111

43(B)log

OCTOBER 26, 2021

20, 2021) In this timeshare exit false advertising litigation, the court excludes Wyndham’s expert. Timeshare exit entities like defendant TET used “online advertising and oral sales pitches to timeshare owners to convince them to sign up for TET’s service.” Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc. Sussman, 2021 WL 4948099, No.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Contracts 59

43(B)log

JANUARY 30, 2024

At the pleading stage in this case, the court held that the plaintiff’s definition of “non-toxic” — that “the product[s] did not pose any risk to humans, animals, or the environment” — was sufficient. Here, whether the plaintiff’s asserted definitions are reasonable were for the jury to decide as part of the overall reasonable-consumer test.

Law 59

Law False Advertising Advertising Advertising 59

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

JUNE 18, 2023

And then…the Ninth Circuit got the case again… The Majority Opinion After the Supreme Court cert denial, the district court ruled that Malwarebytes’ “malicious” and “threat” classifications were “non-actionable statements of opinion” and thus could not support a Lanham Act false advertising claim.

Blogging 86

Blogging False Advertising Litigation Marketing 86

43(B)log

AUGUST 23, 2021

3, 2021) Sultanis alleged that petfood sold as being made with “free-run” poultry and “wild-caught” fish was falsely advertised. Even if the court were to take judicial notice of the Canadian definition, “it is highly implausible that Ms. Champion Petfoods USA Inc., 2021 WL 3373934, No. 21-cv-00162-EMC (N.D.

False Advertising 83

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 83

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

He also alleged that the results of a survey show that 88 percent of consumers are deceived by the White Baking Morsels’ advertising and incorrectly believe they contain white chocolate.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Law 59

43(B)log

JANUARY 20, 2023

AT&T did not show likely success on the merits of its Lanham Act false advertising claim and did not receive a preliminary injunction. AT&T argued that a “senior discount” is simply “a discount available to seniors,” and its AARP discount meets this definition, but that wasn’t the only reasonable interpretation.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

DECEMBER 28, 2022

3, 2022) The court declined to dismiss some of Castle’s claims based on alleged false advertising of “smoked Gouda” as having actually been smoked, instead of having “smoke flavor” added. 3d -, 2022 WL 4776319 (E.D. The FDA allegedly recently warned companies regarding product labeling and smoked ingredients.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Law 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 25, 2022

22, 2022) The court here allows an antitrust claim to proceed based in part on allegedly false/misleading statements because they form part of the alleged anticompetitive product-hopping scheme and because the unique characteristics of the drug market make market-based responses to false advertising difficult.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

JUNE 6, 2023

Enigma sued its competitor Malwarebytes for Lanham Act false advertising and NY business torts for designating its products as “malicious,” “threats,” and “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs). Enigma’s allegations, including definitions of “threat” from statutes and other authorities, still had a subjective component.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Business 59

43(B)log

JANUARY 12, 2024

Indeed, it continued, “(1) no carbon zero products exit, (2) the dictionary definition of ‘carbon neutral’ describes the use of offsets to balance emissions, and (3) the Product’s website explains evian® water’s approach to reducing and offsetting carbon emissions.”

Marketing 69

Marketing Marketing Advertising Advertising 69

43(B)log

DECEMBER 23, 2022

Although expressing some skepticism, the court found that they stated a valid false advertising claim. Thus, Universal argued that the alleged misrepresentation was too vague and non-specific to definitely represent that viewers would see De Armas or her segment in the movie. But explicit misstatements aren’t required.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Social Media 72

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Core-Brace alleged both false advertising and false association from the statements in the design manual and related documents. Core-Brace didn’t need to definitively exclude other reasons, but it needed to identify evidence “demonstrating a nexus between the alleged misrepresentations and its injury.”

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Law Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

MARCH 28, 2024

The policy excluded personal and advertising injury, including “publication, in any manner, of material that violates a person’s right of privacy,” disparagement, use of advertising ideas, and trade dress infringement, if such activities “arise out of or are part of ‘exhibitions and related marketing,’ ” which are broadly defined.

Advertising 64

Advertising Advertising Settlement Contracts 64

43(B)log

AUGUST 1, 2022

ICC develops model building codes and standards; it sued a competitor, UpCodes, for false advertising (Lanham Act, NY GBL, and common law unfair competition). A plaintiff cannot state a false advertising claim based on such a statement because, by definition, it cannot be proven false. UpCodes Inc.,

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Law Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

JUNE 20, 2023

Dictionary definitions of “social” didn’t “provide a usable standard for defining a social cow. Other statements were also definite enough in context.

Social Media 122

Social Media False Advertising Business Advertising 122

43(B)log

MARCH 20, 2023

WatsonSeal Marketing sued for false advertising under the Lanham Act, tortious interference with business relations under Alabama law, and unjust enrichment under Alabama law, but, having kicked out the Lanham Act claims, the court didn’t proceed any further with the state claims.

False Advertising 60

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 60

43(B)log

MARCH 4, 2024

29, 2024) Previously, after a bench trial, the court found Albion liable for falsely advertising its caulk dispensing guns as “Made in the USA.” After more evidence, the court found that Albion adequately supported its unclean-hands defense—that Newborn had also made false USA origin claims—until early 2007. Newborn Bros.

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 45

43(B)log

OCTOBER 4, 2021

WPI counterclaimed against Restellini and third-party Institut Restellini SAS – Documentation Centre alleging copyright infringement and false advertising. Cases about false advertising of the source of “services” were inapposite. “[T]he This opinion got rid of the counterclaims. “In

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Artwork IP Advertising 59

43(B)log

MARCH 29, 2024

That’s not my department !) “[W]hether a term with multiple, contradictory definitions or interpretations has the capacity to mislead is best left to ‘six jurors, rather than three judges, [to] decide on a full record.’” Both courts and legislatures are governmental regulators, though.

Law 59

Law Advertising Advertising Branding 59

43(B)log

JANUARY 10, 2023

6, 2023) Norman sued Gerber for allegedly falsely advertising its baby food/infant formula products as “NON GMO Not Made With Genetically Engineered Ingredients” on the front of the package, and also on the back above the ingredients list. Gerber Prods. 2023 WL 122910, No. 21-cv-09940-JSW (N.D.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

MAY 12, 2022

They are: the Unfair Competition Law (UCL); the False Advertising Law (FAL); and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA). While they often cover the same conduct in false advertising cases and are cumulative of each other, they have differences. UCL: The UCL, California Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq.,

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Business 59

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

The court thought that this wasn’t material, but conflated false advertising and false association (which was plausibly alleged). Zillow arguably presents itself as a resource to consumers when in fact, it is an advertising platform for agents, but that’s true of almost all websites.

Government 59

Government Law Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

JUNE 20, 2023

I teach that false advertising is probabilistic: if a representation is likely to deceive a substantial number of reasonable consumers, it is deceptive, even if not everyone is misled—but that conclusion is most reliable for competitor-plaintiffs, as this case shows. Anyway, the front label here was ambiguous, not misleading.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Marketing Marketing Advertising 59

43(B)log

JANUARY 18, 2023

While that was one plausible meaning, another, according to dictionary definitions, was “an ingredient that has the power or the tendency to preserve, regardless of whether it has a preserving function in a specific product.” affirms or promises that such material.

Marketing 106

Marketing Marketing False Advertising Advertising 106

43(B)log

JULY 20, 2022

Chiusa’s claims: willful copyright infringement; breach of the oral distribution agreement; trademark infringement, false advertising, trade dress/trade name infringement, and false designation of origin undre the Lanham Act; a Tennessee Consumer Protection Act claim; and conversion.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Ownership Registration Designs 72