Category Archives: Compliance

July 1, 2013

Australian Supermarket Pays $61,000 Fine for Allegedly Misleading Country of Origin Claims – A Few Thoughts and Some Canadian Comparisons

In a recent case announced by the Australian ACCC, Australia’s antitrust agency said that supermarket chain Coles has paid six infringement notices totaling $61,200 for allegedly misleading country of origin claims contrary to the Australian Competition and Consumer Act (see: Coles pays infringement notices for … Read the rest of this entry »

June 25, 2013

Competition Bureau Cracks Down on Advertiser in First Criminal Breach of Registered Consent Order Case

Earlier today the Competition Bureau announced that an Alberta man has been found guilty of misleading advertising under the federal Competition Act and of a breach of a consent agreement under the Act (see: Alberta Man Found Guilty of Misleading Representations and Breach of Consent … Read the rest of this entry »

June 10, 2013

A&P Pays $102,000 to Settle Allegations of Violating NY Sweepstakes Laws, A Few Thoughts on Canada

In an interesting recent contest / sweepstakes case, A&P has reportedly agreed to settle charges alleging that it violated New York State sweepstakes laws by failing to adequately inform consumers that no purchase was required to enter its “A&P Frozen Food Month 2013” sweepstakes (for … Read the rest of this entry »

May 24, 2013

New Zealand Court Brings the Gavel Down on Car Company in “Shill Bidding” Advertising Case

The potential routes to deception are many.  In misleading advertising cases, commonly challenged conduct includes false price, performance and other product claims (e.g., omitting key limitations or conditions on products or services).  Some of the advertising practices that are regulated or prohibited in Canada include … Read the rest of this entry »

May 16, 2013

No Free TV Down Under Apparently: Australian ACCC Settles with Cable Co. & A Few Tips for Canada

There used to be a saying that nothing in life is free.  In Australia, it seems, there are no free TVs, or at least not that many.  In a curious case posted by the Australian ACCC earlier today (or was that yesterday?), it announced that … Read the rest of this entry »

April 30, 2013

Ontario Government Introduces New Wireless Consumer Protection Legislation

As previously announced, the Ontario Government has now introduced for first reading new proposed legislation for wireless contracts and services in Ontario (Bill 60 – An Act to strengthen consumer protection with respect to consumer agreements relating to wireless services accessed from a cellular phone, … Read the rest of this entry »

April 17, 2013

Ontario Plans New Legislation to Regulate Debt Settlement Services

Yesterday, Consumer Services in Ontario announced that it would be introducing new legislation to strengthen consumer protection rules for debt settlement services.  In making the announcement, the Ministry said: “Ontario consumers need to have confidence that they’re getting what they pay for when purchasing debt … Read the rest of this entry »

April 12, 2013

New U.S. FTC Report With Competition and Advertising Highlights For the Past Year, Parallels to Competition Bureau Enforcement and Priorities

Earlier today, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission released 2013 Annual Highlights setting out its priorities over the past year, which generally include promoting online privacy and data security, fostering competition in high-tech industries and healthcare and protecting children and other vulnerable consumers from fraud. In … Read the rest of this entry »