Category Archives: Testimonials

January 12, 2020

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 »

May 27, 2018

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 »

June 2, 2017

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 »

October 31, 2016

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 »

August 25, 2016

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 »

July 18, 2016

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 »

June 13, 2015

Guest Post: U.S. FTC Updates FAQs on Endorsements and Testimonials in Social Media

Major enforcement agencies, notably in the United States (U.S. FTC) and Canada (Competition Bureau have been increasingly focusing on misleading online testimonials and disclaimers. In this respect, earlier this week Canada’s Competition Bureau launched a new advertising law publication with the first issue focusing on … Read the rest of this entry »

July 2, 2014

“Your Product Is Great” (What Was It Again?): Australian Carpet Cleaning Co. Sued for Alleged Fake Reviews, Some Canadian Points

Each morning, before I begin ‘real work’, I usually spend a little time on an Internet sweep of interesting advertising and competition law cases that have developed overnight or come into my inbox. Earlier today an interesting new advertising law enforcement action by the Australian … Read the rest of this entry »