This series examines changes to the Federal Trade Commission guidelines for product endorsements and testimonials. The revised new guidelines took effect Dec. 1, 2009.
December 21, 2009Alan L. Friel
The regulations that the Federal Trade Commission recently promulgated on product endorsements could result in injunctions for bloggers and advertisers, who could be ordered to reimburse consumers for financial losses stemming from product reviews that are considered inappropriate under the new guidance.
December 18, 2009Jonathan BickSpurred on by an angry public, regulators will be requiring banks to demonstrate that their compensation policies do not result in "excessive risk-taking." Any bankers hoping this issue will fade away are going to be disappointed. Risk-based compensation is on its way and banks should start now to get ready for it.
December 18, 2009Dan BorgeSmall, spark-ignited nonroad engines from China are the latest imports that run afoul of U.S. standards, as many do not meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
November 30, 2009R. Paul RoeckerIn May, the New York Stock Exchange implemented new rules allowing for the use of corporate Web sites as a primary vehicle for disseminating material company information.
November 25, 2009Stephen E. OlderThe United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently increased enforcement efforts against employers believed to have discriminated against armed forces members returning from active duty and seeking to reenter the civilian workforce. Here's what you need to know.
November 24, 2009David C. Henderson and Matthew P. RitchieOver the last ten years, U.S. corporations conducting business outside the country have witnessed a dramatic increase in the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the severity of the financial penalties assessed. Now the DOJ and SEC have upped the ante.
November 24, 2009John Rahie and Jeffrey HarfenistThe dishonored act of bribery is a basis for doing business in many places, and continually forces those who operate in the international marketplace to choose between risking the loss of business opportunities and engaging in activity that can easily come under the scrutiny of governmental authorities.
November 24, 2009Jeffrey J. Ansley, Don R. Berthiaume and Josh ZiveRegular readers of blogs and other Internet-based sources of news and information know it's not unusual to see product reviews in these virtual venues. While the reviews sometimes appear to be careful, impartial journalism, other times the writer seems just a bit too enthusiastic about the post's subject matter. Of course, readers have good reasons to question just how impartial the authors of these reviews might be.
October 28, 2009Kelly D. TalcottThe FTC's new guidance makes it clear that companies that are involved in encouraging a message about their products or services in non-traditional media, such that they are essentially sponsoring the messages, even if by consumers or celebrities, will be responsible as the advertiser for the message. Although the FTC acknowledges the limited ability in social and other evolving media to clear and control these types of messages, it places the burden of the risk on both the sponsor and the speaker.
October 28, 2009Alan L. Friel