Category Archives: Testimonials

Canadian Federal and Ontario Cannabis Advertising Laws and Rules: An Overview

We have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries relating to Canadian laws, regulations and regulatory guidelines for cannabis marketing and advertising. As such, we provided an overview of key advertising and marketing related requirements under the federal Cannabis Act and Ontario laws and rules … Read the rest of this entry »

New Competition Bureau Guidance for Performance Claims and Influencer Marketing In Canada

Practical Law Canada Competition (of which I am Lawyer Editor) has published a new Legal Update, which discusses new Competition Bureau guidance in relation to performance claims under the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34 (Competition Act). The update includes a general overview of the … Read the rest of this entry »

Influencer Advertising: Competition Act Compliance Now a Material Concern For Brands and Agencies

Over the past several years, competition enforcement agencies have been increasing their scrutiny of false and misleading influencer marketing.  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initially led the charge in terms of guidance and enforcement, which included its Endorsement Guides, Endorsement Guides FAQs and warning … Read the rest of this entry »

Testimonials and Endorsements: Key Canadian Legal Rules and Compliance Tips

Testimonials and endorsements (i.e., where a brand uses an expert, celebrity or other person to endorse their product) are both increasingly popular and increasingly being scrutinized by regulators, including the Canadian Competition Bureau (Bureau) and U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While the Competition Act, which … Read the rest of this entry »

A Legal Tiptoe Through the Hot World of Influencer Advertising

My new Canadian Lawyer column discusses practical tips for brands and influencers in the expanding area of endorsements and testimonials, in light of Federal Trade Commission, Competition Bureau and industry regulator guidance. Below is an excerpt with a link to the full column. _________________ Anyone … Read the rest of this entry »

Competition Bureau’s Annual Internet Advertising Enforcement Sweep Focuses on False or Misleading Endorsements

Earlier today, the Canadian Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced that its most recent annual Internet advertising sweep focused on false or misleading online endorsements (see: Annual Internet Sweep Focuses on Online Reviews and Endorsements). The Bureau said that this year’s annual Internet sweep was aimed at … Read the rest of this entry »

Canada Increases Scrutiny of Online Paid Endorsements/Testimonials

An interesting Canadian Business article on paid endorsements caught my eye earlier today. It discusses the increasing scrutiny of advertising regulators in Canada and the United States to require clear disclosures of material connections for online endorsements, including new Canadian Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) rules … Read the rest of this entry »

New International Online Reviews and Endorsements Guidelines Give Practical Guidance to Marketers, Reflect Competition Bureau Policies

Featured Update Practical Law Canada Competition July 18, 2016 This Featured Update discusses the recent Online Reviews and Endorsements Guidelines issued by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN). It includes a summary of key principles and guidelines for review administrators, traders and marketing … Read the rest of this entry »