Category Archives: Advertising Law

March 6, 2012

Commissioner of Competition Interview – Globe and Mail: “Competition Commissioner Lays Down the Rules”

The Globe and Mail posted a short interview with the Commissioner of Competition earlier today by Steve Ladurantaye. Among the topics discussed by the Commissioner included misleading advertising, the perception that the Competition Bureau only pursues high profile deterrent setting cases, the Bureau’s approach to … Read the rest of this entry »

March 5, 2012

Fraud Update: Competition Bureau Tips For Consumers Against Fraud

March is Fraud Prevention Month.  On March 5, 2012, the Competition Bureau issued the following tips for consumers to protect themselves against fraud: Be vigilant when evaluating ads, whether for a job, a product or service offered online, over the phone or in print. Before … Read the rest of this entry »

March 5, 2012

Defamation Update: Tjelta v. Wang – A Cautionary Tale and Highlights the Importance of Ensuring Accurate E-mail and Online Communications

On March 1, 2012, the BC Supreme Court released its decision in Tjelta v. Wang (2012 BCSC 299) (see: Tjelta v. Wang 2012 BCSC 299), in which the plaintiff was awarded damages of $20,000 for defamatory statements made in e-mails and other communications. This recent … Read the rest of this entry »

March 3, 2012

Advertising & Fraud Update: U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Top 10 Consumer Complaints – Includes Contests, Loan Products & Identity Theft

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has published a very interesting list of top 10 consumer complaints: 1. Identity theft: Fighting back against identify theft 2. Debt collection complaints: Dealing with debt 3. Prizes, sweepstakes & lotteries: Sweepstakes and lotteries scams 4. Shop-at-home and catalog … Read the rest of this entry »

March 3, 2012

New Books: Advertising, Competition, Cartel, Trade and Class Action Law From Oxford University Press – 2012

New (2012) advertising, competition, cartel, trade and class action law books from Oxford University Press: The Class Action Playbook – Brian Anderson and Andrew Trask From OUP: “The Class Action Playbook is a unique and strategic “how to” guide for practitioners seeking to bring or … Read the rest of this entry »

March 2, 2012

Conferences: Introduction to the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards & Consumer Complaints Procedure

MARCH 27 2012 Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) will be holding an introductory session to the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards in Toronto on March 27, 2012 entitled Introduction to the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards & Consumer Complaints Procedure. From the ASC: “Consumers are scrutinizing … Read the rest of this entry »

March 2, 2012

Advertising Update: $9 Million Penalty and Restitution Obtained in Deceptive Marketing Scheme

The Competition Bureau announced earlier today that five companies and three individuals were found by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to have violated the Competition Act in relation to a deceptive marketing operation (see: Competition Bureau Secures Over $9 Million and Money Back to … Read the rest of this entry »

March 2, 2012

Worthy Quotes: caveat emptor v. caveat venditor

“The measures [under the Quebec Consumer Protection Act] to protect consumers from fraudulent advertising practices are one expression of a legislative intent to move away from the maxim caveat emptor, or “let the buyer beware”.  As a result of these measures, merchants, manufacturers and advertisers are … Read the rest of this entry »