ADVERTISING

No Vacation for the FTC: FTC Bans Marketers from Selling Vacation Packages
March 1, 2012
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Pam Bondi, the Attorney General of Florida, recently announced a settlement that will ban a company from selling vacation packages. The FTC and the Florida attorney general’s office charged the defendants with tricking consumers into believing they had won a vacation package as a prize, and then failing to provide the package as promised.

To “Like”or Not to “Like”?
February 9, 2012
We all want to be “Liked” and have others “Like” us. It seems like that is one consistent thread in all of social media: Like Me! Therefore, it’s a natural progression for marketers to attempt to capitalize off of this need by launching promotions that involve the “Like” feature on Facebook. However, a promotion involving the “Like” feature requires some management before proceeding.

Game On? DOJ Narrows Reach of Wire Act
February 1, 2012
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently released an opinion stating that the provision of the Wire Act related to online gambling is limited to sports betting.

DATA SECURITY & PRIVACY

White House Joins Fight for Clearer Privacy Regulations
February 28, 2012
The White House recently released its proposal for simplifying the landscape of privacy regulations to provide consumers with a better understanding of how their personal information is collected, used, and shared.

Privacy and Mobile Apps: California and the MMA lead 2012 with Privacy Announcements
February 23, 2012
This past month marked two notable announcements for privacy advocates. Most recently, the six major mobile app platform providers have agreed to take steps to improve privacy notification and protection in mobile apps.

Song-Beverly Class Action against Louis Vuitton Remains in Federal Court
February 21, 2012
A recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit will allow a putative class action against defendant Louis Vuitton to remain in federal court.

March 1 Deadline Looms for those Collecting Data from Massachusetts Residents
February 17, 2012
If your company collects information from Massachusetts residents, you should be aware of the March 1, 2012, deadline imposed by the Massachusetts Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth (the “Regulations”).

Swiping Customers’ Driver’s Licenses May Steer Best Buy into Trouble
February 9, 2012
It is a common practice for retailers to collect customers’ personal information when processing the exchange or return of merchandise. A recently filed lawsuit, however, provides a warning that companies should tread carefully when utilizing customers’ driver’s licenses to facilitate these transactions.

Data Security Developments in the European Union Could Have Far-Reaching Implications
February 1, 2012
On January 25, 2012, the European Union proposed a comprehensive reform of its data protection laws, which have not been revised since 1995. Intended to “strengthen online privacy rights and boost Europe’s digital economy,” the proposal would overhaul the EU’s 1995 data protection rules.

ENTERTAINMENT

Kelsey Grammer, Producers of BET’s “The Game” Flagged for Alleged Copyright Infringement
February 28, 2012
An aspiring scriptwriter has again accused the producers of the BET television series “The Game” – including Kelsey Grammer, series creator Mara Brock Akil, and a unit of CBS Broadcasting Inc. – of violating federal copyright law by using a script she had written for an episode of the show without compensation.