43(B)log

OCTOBER 6, 2021

In re EpiPen (Epinephrine Injection, USP) Marketing, Sales Practices & Antitrust Litig., 17, 2020) A lot of stuff here; I will ignore the non-false advertising related aspects of this mostly antitrust case. Sanofi argued that none of its advertisements or promotional materials made any of these assertions.

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 45

43(B)log

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Marketing, Sales Practices & Products Liab. SoClean is a dominant player in the market for medical devices that sanitize continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAPs), which treat sleep apnea and respiratory conditions. And, they continued, SoClean was illegally marketing its devices. In re SoClean, Inc., 22-542 (W.D.

Advertising 59

Advertising Advertising Marketing Marketing 59

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Someone has referred you here because you’ve said something wrong about the laws related to web scraping in the United States. You’ve Been Referred Here Because You’re Wrong About The First Amendment.” The prior part explained the most recent ruling, a devastating but not unexpected loss for hiQ. Don’t worry! You’re not alone.

Blogging 117

Blogging Law Contracts Cease and Desist 117

43(B)log

MARCH 14, 2024

11, 2024) I have a long-running interest in Rule 68 offers of judgment, and this case involves an interaction with false advertising law! The parties compete in the shoe market. Crocs, Inc., 2024 WL 1051951No. 23-cv-01790-PAB-KAS (D. In 2006, Crocs sued now-plaintiff Double Diamond and Dawgs, its affiliate.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Branding 59

43(B)log

JUNE 11, 2024

Here, the allegations sufficiently stated a marketing context. The court reasoned that, although the words at issue—“malicious” and “threat”—were not themselves advertisements, “Enigma has alleged facts permitting an inference in its favor that Malwarebytes makes the speech in an advertising context.” The court disagreed.

Advertising 64

Advertising Advertising Designs Design 64

43(B)log

AUGUST 26, 2021

5, 2021) The plaintiff benefits from very generous treatment of its false designation and copyright claims, in the process stripping false designation of anything other than a prohibition on copying/vitiating both Wal-Mart and Dastar. 2021 WL 1253803, No. 20-cv-06957-VKD (N.D. The court agreed!

Designs 64

Designs Design Copying Copyright Infringement 64

43(B)log

JANUARY 27, 2023

That supplier worked with a foreign supplier to mimic the Stiles Razor, using “photographs and physical samples of the Stiles razor as references.” The remaining design patent claims also failed. The accused design’s grip was also contoured and textured, not angular and smooth.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Design Patent Designs Design 59

43(B)log

MARCH 20, 2023

WatsonSeal Marketing LLC v. 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

AUGUST 26, 2022

24, 2022) This seems like a silly result to me, shifting the burden to comparative advertisers, but it's often much harder to get summary judgment in a trademark case than in comparable cases. The parties compete in the industrial fastener market. Why would the relevant consumers think that?

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Trademark 59

43(B)log

JUNE 10, 2024

5, 2024) Abbott Laboratories’s Glucerna line of powders and shakes are marketed as scientifically designed for people with diabetes to help manage blood sugar. The challenged language includes “to help manage blood sugar,” “#1 doctor recommended brand,” and “scientifically designed for people with diabetes.”

Designs 59

Designs Design Branding Brands 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 25, 2021

Plaintiff alleges that subscribers “universally understand[ ] that a product designated ‘O’ is an [over-the-counter (“OTC”) ] drug, available over-the-counter and without physician supervision.” Although Alfasigma’s products were historically designated as F, First Databank reclassified them as O.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Designs 72

43(B)log

APRIL 25, 2023

21, 2023) In two opinions on the same day, the court dealt with various IP/false advertising claims brought by one litter box seller against another. Plaintiff (dba Whisker) sued defendant (dba Smarty Pear), its competitor in the market for automated, self-cleaning litter boxes. Automated Pet Care Prods., Purlife Brands, Inc.,

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Social Media 59

43(B)log

DECEMBER 1, 2022

28, 2022) Outlaw lost its bid for a preliminary injunction enjoining Santos, aka OSD Audio, from selling products containing user manuals that allegedly infringed Outlaw’s copyright, falsely represented OSD Audio products’ specifications, and falsely represented that OSD Audio and Outlaw’s products are similar. Prager Univ.

Advertising 64

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Copyright 64

43(B)log

JULY 20, 2022

They then agreed that Chiusa would create and operate a website, colorcopper.com, marketing and distributing Stubenrauch’s copper sheets “to a new industry for copper countertops, bar tops and kitchen backsplash.” The parties worked together to launch a website selling Stubenrauch’s copper lampshades and mirrors.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Ownership Registration Designs 72

43(B)log

MARCH 21, 2024

Peacock alleged that Pabst violated consumer protection law by marketing “The Original Olympia Beer” as using naturally filtered, artisan water from Tumwater, Washington (a suburb of Olympia, Washington) “despite the product being brewed elsewhere in the country using lower quality water and brewing methods.” Pabst Brewing Co.,

Social Media 59

Social Media Marketing Marketing Designs 59

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Elysium argued that Right of Assembly was “a marketing website for Tru Niagen for which ChromaDex pays commissions to Shelly Albaum for Tru Niagen customers referred through the website.” Thus, any false advertising claim would lie against Albaum, not [directly] against ChromaDex. It was also first to market.)

Advertising 80

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Marketing 80

SpicyIP

OCTOBER 27, 2023

False urgency is a marketing tactic that creates a false sense of scarcity to pressure consumers into making a purchase, often resulting in dark patterns, limited stock, and unexpected delivery. The DoCA had illustrated 10 practices as dark patterns. They are: 1. Example: ‘No thanks, I hate saving money’ 5.

Intellectual Property 52

Intellectual Property False Advertising Designs Design 52

43(B)log

JUNE 14, 2022

May 25, 2022) Alcon sued Lens.com for federal and state false advertising and trademark claims. 1994), “before considering consumer survey evidence, a district court must, first, determine whether the designation of geographic origin is ‘geographically descriptive.’ The Lanham Act false advertising counterclaim was dismissed.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Trademark Advertising Advertising 72

43(B)log

DECEMBER 28, 2022

17, 2022) Along with the headline-worthy nature of the claim (“ITALY’S #1 BRAND OF PASTA” plausibly falsely communicates Italian origin), the decision contains an extended discussion of judicial notice on a motion to dismiss v. incorporation of documents into the complaint by reference, both often significant in false advertising cases.

Branding 59

Branding Brands Branding False Advertising 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. No reference to trademark standards, interestingly.) Gerber Prods. 2023 WL 122910, No.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 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

LexBlog IP

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Securities and Exchange Commission Allison Herren Lee observed that “climate risks and sustainability are critical issues for the investing public and our capital markets.” In February 2022, the National Advertising Division (NAD), oversaw two cases concerning environmental claims. sustainable). million in penalties.

Marketing 52

Marketing Marketing Advertising Advertising 52

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

It claims to focus on “counterfeits” that could harm consumer “health and safety,” but those are both lies designed to make the bill seem narrower and more balanced than it actually is. However, this bill is itself a giant counterfeit. Unlike the other services, these services get a 6 month phase-in period).

Trademark 137

Trademark False Advertising Advertising Advertising 137

43(B)log

JUNE 16, 2022

“After learning that Omaze retained up to 85% of the donated funds, Plaintiffs filed this suit alleging that Omaze’s marketing is deceptive and violates California law.” It contracts with Charities Aid Foundation of America, which in turn delivers donated funds to designated charities. The court granted the motion to dismiss in part.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Designs 59

43(B)log

MAY 2, 2023

21, 2023) ExeGi sued Brookfield for state and federal false advertising/tortious interference. The parties compete in the market for probiotics. To the extent HPP is marketed as a medical food and deemed a medical food, it is required to be consumed under the supervision of a physician.” .…

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 31, 2021

The 2016 label references the “coastal hills” of Oregon as an “ideal region to grow” this type of wine. The 2017 label also references the “coast” and includes a map of Oregon with leaves denoting the locations of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue Valleys. The labels describe the wine at issue here as an “Oregon Pinot Noir.”

Graphic Design 56

Graphic Design Government Designs Design 56

43(B)log

AUGUST 3, 2023

So too w/false advertising. Assumptions skipped over in TM/false advertising analysis.] Relevant consumer: perceptions can determine commercial strength but the inputs are often the same as for conceptual strength—dictionaries w/lower-case references. It’s market definition. Death closes things off.

Registration 52

Registration False Advertising Advertising Advertising 52

43(B)log

JANUARY 25, 2022

24, 2022) Plaintiffs (Mito Red) sell red-light therapy products online, in competition with Platinum (which uses the Volkin defendants’ marketing services). And they are not providing the customers with anything new with an act like that.”

Designs 59

Designs Design Privacy Blogging 59

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Static Controls in 2012, a Lanham Act false advertising case, the Court gave us two more principles for interpreting section 43: a statutory cause of action extends only to plaintiffs whose interests “fall within the zone of interests protected by the law invoked.” Kagan describes it as “designation of source.” of Ala, LV v.

Trademark 59

Trademark Fair Use Registration False Advertising 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 17, 2021

sparkling margarita" "sparkling classic cocktails" (mojito, cosmo) "Spritz": sangria, rosé The plaintiffs also alleged that the misleadingness was enhanced by the market context. Defendant argued that consumers would understand these merely as “flavor designators.” (I have to admit, as a cocktail fan, I’m offended.)

Marketing 80

Marketing Marketing Branding Brands 80

43(B)log

JULY 24, 2023

The first pegfilgrastim biosimilar hit the market in November 2018, and would ultimately be followed by five others, including Sandoz’s Ziextenzo in November 2019. These ads were based on an obseivational study Amgen conducted itself, in an effort to remain competitive with the emerging biosimilar market. Sandoz Inc.

False Advertising 92

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 92

43(B)log

JULY 20, 2023

“ In general, advertisements provide consumers with information regarding products or services for sale in commerce. Under Section 12 of the FTC Act, an “advertisement” is a publication that has the “tendency or capability to induce the sale of [a] product.” E.g.: So here’s what I want you to do. It filed suit on April 15, 2021.

Government 52

Government Advertising Advertising Social Media 52

43(B)log

APRIL 15, 2024

It provides farmers, ranchers, and butchers with marketing education and technical assistance; incubates “Meat Collectives” across the country; and educates consumers about responsible meat production and consumption practices. There was no evidence that consumers viewed the term “good meat” as referring a single source: that is, GMP.

False Advertising 64

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 64

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

APRIL 27, 2024

This is a false advertising lawsuit again the mobile app game Game of Thrones: Conquest. The design elements use “a contrasting font color” making the notice legible on the dark background. appeared first on Technology & Marketing Law Blog. sought to send the case to arbitration. The district court disagreed.

False Advertising 83

False Advertising Government Privacy Designs 83

43(B)log

JANUARY 11, 2023

9, 2023) Simpson sued MiTek for Lanham Act and state law false advertising/passing off, and for copyright infringement. Each product name has a “part name” (a letter or combination of letters designating the product line) and a “model number” (additional numbers and letters that distinguish parts with different attributes).

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Reporting 59

43(B)log

OCTOBER 4, 2021

22, 2021) The parties compete in the market for “chemical bonding products—like epoxies, adhesives, threadlockers, gasket makers, and silicone sealants—that someone might buy at a hardware store to fix their car or for other mechanical projects.” Change over time in likelihood of confusion, not change over time in market share, is the key.

False Advertising 69

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Trademark 69

43(B)log

JANUARY 3, 2024

28, 2023) Penn Engineering designs and manufactures various types of fasteners sold under various trademarks, and alleged that Peninsula sold identical fasteners while infringing on Penn Engineering’s marks. The court grants partial summary judgment on trademark claims but reserves some, and a false advertising claim, for trial.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Trademark 59