August 10, 2016 This Monday, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC” or “Commission”) commenced an administrative proceeding against 1-800 Contacts, Inc. (“1-800 Contacts”), alleging that the online contact lens retailer had entered into anti-competitive search ad bidding agreements with its rivals. Should sellers and advertisers be concerned about how they police their brands?
FTC Targets Brand Owner Policing Search Ad Keywords Read More »
August 5, 2016 This March, we reported on a California federal court’s dismissal of Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.’s (“Lions Gate”) trademark and unfair competition claims against TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation, a number of its subsidiaries (“TD”) and ad agency Havas Worldwide New York, Inc. (“Havas”) in connection with the Defendants’ “Dirty Dancing”-themed ad campaign. This Monday,
“Dirty Dancing” Trademark Dilution Claims Reinstated Read More »
May 17, 2016 Last Week, Google Inc. (“Google”) announced its plan to ban AdWords ads for payday loans and related products. How will the ban affect your AdWords ad campaign?
Google Bans AdWords Ads for Payday Loans Read More »
April 27, 2016 Last year, we reported on a lawsuit filed by Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) in Washington State against the owners of four websites offering paid online reviews. Last Friday, Amazon filed another such lawsuit against a number of similar Amazon product reviewers. Why should sellers, paid reviewers and review-hosting websites be concerned about online
Amazon Sues Website Owners for Paid Online Reviews Read More »
April 19, 2016 A recent MediaPost article exploring the search advertising efforts of the Avery Dennison Corporation (“Avery”) observed a substantial increase in clicks – and corresponding decrease in cost per click (“CPC”) and overall search ad costs – once Avery began enforcing its trademark rights. Are your trademark enforcement practices leaving money on the
Trademark Enforcement May Lower Search Advertising Costs Read More »
March 30, 2016 Nobody puts Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.’s (“Lions Gate”) Dirty Dancing brand in a corner – except for a California federal district court and an allegedly infringing ad campaign. Why were Lions Gate’s trademark and unfair competition claims preempted by copyright?
Allegedly Infringing Ad Campaign: Trademark Claims Preempted by Copyright Read More »
March 23, 2016 DraftKings Inc. and FanDuel Inc. will stop allowing New York-based consumers to participate in their online daily fantasy sports contests under two virtually identical settlements with New York state, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 21. Schneiderman brought enforcement actions against each company in November 2015, saying the companies were violating
DraftKings, FanDuel Settle With New York Attorney General Pending Legislative Result Read More »
February 9, 2016 Last Wednesday, TTNA, Inc. (“TTNA”), owner of the Baby Dolls Saloon strip clubs in Texas, filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against New York-based Baby Dolls Cabaret Ltd. (“Baby Dolls Cabaret”). Can TTNA strip Baby Dolls Cabaret of its name (and profits)?
Strip Club Shows Off Assets in Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Read More »