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Most are familiar with the venerable Latin axiom, “caveat emptor” – let the buyer beware.  Well, in today's world, the advertising and marketing of goods and services is no longer a free-for-all.  Laws and regulations address what sellers can say, to whom, when and how – and what they can do with the information they collect.  This blog looks at those rules and at how they are being enforced and interpreted.

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Showing 9 posts in Internet Commerce and New Media.

“App Law”: Development Continues

February 9, 2012 Posted by: M. Lily Woodland

Earlier this week, the Federal Trade Commission sent letters to developers of six “background screening” applications, warning marketers and developers of the apps that providing information about criminal records may violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Read More ›

Redbox Revisited: Just What Is An Electronic Transaction?

January 15, 2012 Posted by: Behnam Dayanim

Loyal blog readers may recall my paean to Redbox back in September. In that earlier post, I described a putative class action filed in federal court in California. The suit alleges that Redbox collects zip codes from credit card purchasers in violation of California’s Beverly-Song Act. Read More ›

The Brave New World of Internet Domains

January 11, 2012 Posted by: M. Lily Woodland

Beginning tomorrow, you too can have your own domain!  Perhaps.   Read More ›

*Like* - Child Privacy Class Action Lawsuit Against Facebook Dismissed by California State Court

October 7, 2011 Posted by: Evan T. Lee

Facebook users are well versed with the "like" button.

A friend posts a funny photo. *Like* 

A friend sets an interesting status. *Like* 

Two people are now friends. *Like* 

A user has enjoyed using a website or product. *Like* Read More ›

Punk’d – Toyota’s Stalker Ad Campaign Lawsuit Continues in California Courts

September 14, 2011 Posted by: Evan T. Lee

In 2008, Toyota Motors Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“ Toyota”) was searching for a strategy to market the Toyota Matrix to men under 35 years old.  Enter Saatchi & Saatchi (“Saatchi”), a worldwide advertising firm with an idea: younger men love to “punk” (i.e., to play pranks on) each other.  This idea led to an elaborate marketing plan where individuals could sign up someone to be “punk’d” . . . Read More ›

FTC Slams Smartphone App for Privacy Violations

August 17, 2011 Posted by: M. Lily Woodland

Protecting consumer privacy in the online world of “tracker cookies” and location-collecting  smartphones has become a hot ticket issue for federal regulators.    Read More ›

Sony Playstation May Prove To Be Trailblazing In A New Arena - the Courtroom

July 25, 2011 Posted by: Behnam Dayanim

Sony Playstation is well known for its innovative game platform and cutting-edge gaming technology.  (It is our favorite system at home!)  Sony soon may have the opportunity to blaze new trails in the legal arena as well. Read More ›

Welcome to Caveat-Vendor!

July 18, 2011 Posted by: Behnam Dayanim

Welcome to Caveat-Vendor.com!  What are we about?  Most are familiar with the venerable Latin axiom, “caveat emptor” – let the buyer beware.  Well, in the 21st Century regulatory state, the advertising and marketing of goods and services is no longer a free-for-all.  Laws and regulations address what sellers can say, to whom, when and how – and what they can do with the information they collect.  Read More ›

Enforceability of Foreign Forum Selection Provisions Online: Internet Gambling Leading the Way?

July 18, 2011 Posted by: Behnam Dayanim

Internet gambling . . . not a core topic for this blog but within the rubric of gaming and promotions and of great personal and professional interest to me.  Among other things, as explained below, internet gambling cases are helping to define the enforceability of foreign forum selection provisions in online commerce.  Read More ›