Category Archives: Competition Law

July 1, 2013

Australian Supermarket Pays $61,000 Fine for Allegedly Misleading Country of Origin Claims – A Few Thoughts and Some Canadian Comparisons

In a recent case announced by the Australian ACCC, Australia’s antitrust agency said that supermarket chain Coles has paid six infringement notices totaling $61,200 for allegedly misleading country of origin claims contrary to the Australian Competition and Consumer Act (see: Coles pays infringement notices for … Read the rest of this entry »

June 25, 2013

Competition Bureau Cracks Down on Advertiser in First Criminal Breach of Registered Consent Order Case

Earlier today the Competition Bureau announced that an Alberta man has been found guilty of misleading advertising under the federal Competition Act and of a breach of a consent agreement under the Act (see: Alberta Man Found Guilty of Misleading Representations and Breach of Consent … Read the rest of this entry »

June 10, 2013

A&P Pays $102,000 to Settle Allegations of Violating NY Sweepstakes Laws, A Few Thoughts on Canada

In an interesting recent contest / sweepstakes case, A&P has reportedly agreed to settle charges alleging that it violated New York State sweepstakes laws by failing to adequately inform consumers that no purchase was required to enter its “A&P Frozen Food Month 2013” sweepstakes (for … Read the rest of this entry »

June 6, 2013

New Publications: Canadian Competition Law Review – Spring 2013

The Canadian Bar Association has published a new issue of its Canadian Competition Law Review (see: here). This new issue includes articles on “The Economic Consequences and Constitutionality of Administrative Monetary Penalties for Abuse of Dominance” (G. Bishop), “The 2012 Abuse of Dominance Guidelines: An … Read the rest of this entry »

May 28, 2013

Kellogg’s Settles Class Action Cereal Advertising Suit & A Few Thoughts on Performance Claims in Canada

An interesting performance claims advertising claims case caught my eye today in my daily media sweep.  According to the CBC, HuffPost and others, Kellogg has agreed to pay $4 million to settle a class action lawsuit relating to some of its former marketing claims for … Read the rest of this entry »

May 24, 2013

New Zealand Court Brings the Gavel Down on Car Company in “Shill Bidding” Advertising Case

The potential routes to deception are many.  In misleading advertising cases, commonly challenged conduct includes false price, performance and other product claims (e.g., omitting key limitations or conditions on products or services).  Some of the advertising practices that are regulated or prohibited in Canada include … Read the rest of this entry »

May 16, 2013

No Free TV Down Under Apparently: Australian ACCC Settles with Cable Co. & A Few Tips for Canada

There used to be a saying that nothing in life is free.  In Australia, it seems, there are no free TVs, or at least not that many.  In a curious case posted by the Australian ACCC earlier today (or was that yesterday?), it announced that … Read the rest of this entry »

May 6, 2013

“Babies Can Read” is Back – A Curious Advertising Tale on a Monday Afternoon

Advertising can be funny sometimes, or odd, or a bit like faith or all of these.   Let me explain what I’m talking about.  A few months ago, in perhaps one of the strangest advertising law tales I’ve seen in awhile (or ever), I wrote about … Read the rest of this entry »