Email Marketing Attorneys and the FTC Clash Over and Settle Spam Claims

March 22, 2017

email-marketing-attorneyLast week, email marketing lawyers and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a $500,000.00 settlement between the agency and a company offering weight-loss products which were allegedly marketed via email in violation of federal law.  The FTC alleged that the defendant corporations (all related) and their respective principal “paid affiliate marketers to send consumers millions of illegal spam emails from hacked email accounts, making it appear that the messages came from the consumers’ family members, friends, or other contacts.”  The email messages contained links to the Defendants’ website.  According to the FTC, the website contained deceptive representations regarding product efficacy and false celebrity endorsements.

In December 2016, the defendants’ email marketing lawyer began negotiating a settlement with the FTC.  On March 3, 2017, the Court accepted the parties’ proposed settlement.

What are the Terms of the FTC’s Anti-SPAM Settlement Agreement?

The parties agreed to a $1,303,822.98 settlement.  However, all but $500,000.00 has been suspended due to the represented financial condition of the defendants.  In addition, the defendants have agreed to monitor all email marketing affiliates to ensure that no further SPAM violations occur.  The defendants are also prohibited from making any false or misleading claims about either their products or any celebrities who may endorse their products in the future.

Protect Yourself: Consult with an Email Marketing Attorney Today

Email marketing attorneys counsel their clients to not only comply with federal anti-SPAM laws, but state anti-SPAM laws as well which, in some instances, may be more stringent.  To avoid ending up in the crosshairs of the FTC, or that of a private litigant for that matter, it is important to consult with competent email marketing attorneys prior to commencing any campaign.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, please visit the Telemarketing Law practice area of our website.  If you have been served with process concerning your email marketing practices in general, please e-mail us at info@kleinmoynihan.com or call us at (212) 246-0900.

The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney.  Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.

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David Klein

David Klein is one of the most recognized attorneys in the technology, Internet marketing, sweepstakes, and telecommunications fields. Skilled at counseling clients on a broad range of technology-related matters, David Klein has substantial experience in negotiating and drafting complex licensing, marketing and Internet agreements.

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