Category Archives: International Developments

Highlights of the Competition Bureau’s Submission to Recent G7 Compendium Report on Competition in Digital Markets

Practical Law Canada Competition, of which I am Lawyer Editor, published a new Legal Update, which discusses the Canadian Competition Bureau’s submission to a recent Compendium of Approaches to Improving Competition in Digital Markets published by G7 competition authorities. Below is an excerpt with a … Read the rest of this entry »

ABA/CBA Consumer Protection Conference – Atlanta (February 2nd)

On February 2nd, the Canadian Bar Association will be co-sponsoring a one-day Consumer Protection conference in Atlanta with the American Bar Association.  The conference will be held at the Atlanta Aquarium (with a welcome reception at the World of Coca-Cola on the evening of February … Read the rest of this entry »

“Your Product Is Great” (What Was It Again?): Australian Carpet Cleaning Co. Sued for Alleged Fake Reviews, Some Canadian Points

Each morning, before I begin ‘real work’, I usually spend a little time on an Internet sweep of interesting advertising and competition law cases that have developed overnight or come into my inbox. Earlier today an interesting new advertising law enforcement action by the Australian … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising: How to Differentiate in an Age of Noise?: Truth, Value & Brand: P&G Marketing Head Distills the Essence

We live in an age of exploding ideas and noise. Selling your no doubt very spiffy product is an increasing challenge given the increased (and increasing) number of platforms, messages and voices. Once and a while, however, a clear voice resonates back to why we want to … Read the rest of this entry »

New Advertising Law Books: International Advertising Law: A Practical Global Guide

Globe Law and Business recently published a new international advertising law text entitled: International Advertising Law. Given that I work a lot in the Canadian advertising and marketing law areas, as well as the relative dearth of advertising and marketing law texts generally (both in … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising Law Enforcement, With a Twist: US FTC Enlists Hackers to Catch Robocallers

A few days ago I wrote a short post on some of the innovative and new media related ways competition/antitrust enforcement agencies were endeavoring to enforce competition law, raise competition law awareness and encourage compliance (see: Competition Policy: Agencies Growing Digital Channels). On this theme, … Read the rest of this entry »

When Can True Claims Be Misleading?: Comment on Fruit Drink Tussles & Some Tips

For the past little while I’ve been seeing more cases and articles related to advertising challenges based on misleading (or allegedly misleading) first impressions – that is competitor or consumer challenges based on what looks like the real deal, but may be a bit of … Read the rest of this entry »

Apple Settles With U.S. FTC in Kids’ In-App Disclosure Case – Highlights Importance of Upfront Disclosure of Charges & Key Terms

Earlier today, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Apple Inc. had agreed to refund consumers USD $32.5 million, under a proposed consent order, in relation to alleged failures to adequately disclose kids’ mobile app charges. More specifically, the case involved FTC allegations that … Read the rest of this entry »