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The FTC Kills Noncompetes
FEATURED
April 30, 2024
The FTC Kills Noncompetes
By: George Calhoun
In a groundbreaking move that will reshape the workplace and many litigation practices nationwide, the FTC has issued a final rule that effectively bans all employee non-compete clauses. Approximately 30 million Americans currently work under a non-compete clause. All but a few applicable to senior executives will be void upon the effective date of the rule. After the rule is effective, no new non-compete clauses will be enforceable, even for senior executives. Noncompetition clauses have long been a contentious issue in the labor market. Employers claim that they protect intellectual property, trade secrets, and business interests. Employees find that such agreements limit worker mobility and suppress wages. According to FTC chairperson Lina Khan, “Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new…
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Ad-Tech Europe: The Moving Target Marking Targeted Advertising
April 26, 2024
Ad-Tech Europe: The Moving Target Marking Targeted Advertising
By: Nicole Kardell
The European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) recently published an opinion on the legality of pay-or-consent models for online platforms offering services in Europe. While the opinion is non-binding and limited to “large online platforms[1],” companies that offer platforms large and small in Europe should pay attention to the EDPB’s analysis—it will inform their future guidance for entities large and small. The upshot: Pay-or-consent models [for…
Social Media Networks’ Section 230 Immunity on the Chopping Block? New York Court Allows Claims to Proceed Stemming from Buffalo Shooting
April 1, 2024
Social Media Networks’ Section 230 Immunity on the Chopping Block? New York Court Allows Claims to Proceed Stemming from Buffalo Shooting
By: Michelle Cohen
Since 1996, Internet platforms and social media companies have relied on a federal law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, to protect them from liability for civil law claims stemming from content on their platforms. As the influence of platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), and others has grown, members of Congress, consumer groups, and other stakeholders have urged Congress to restrict or repeal…
For-Profit Education Flunking Regulations Overload 101
September 15, 2014
For-Profit Education Flunking Regulations Overload 101
By: Nicole Kardell
The last few years have been tough on the for-profit education industry – it’s not easy being the target of a host of federal and state investigations. For-profit educators have been poked and prodded by, among others, the U.S. Congress, a coalition of state attorneys general, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Federal and state…
Federal Trade Commission Checks Out Mobile Shopping Apps
September 4, 2014
Federal Trade Commission Checks Out Mobile Shopping Apps
By: Michelle Cohen
In August, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) released a staff report concerning mobile shopping applications (“apps”). FTC staff reviewed some of the most popular apps consumers utilize to comparison shop, collect and redeem deals and discounts, and pay in-store with their mobile devices. This new report focused on shopping apps offering price comparison, special deals, and mobile payments. The August report is available here….
Recording Calls? Five Things You Can Do to Avoid the Litigation Frenzy
August 18, 2014
Recording Calls? Five Things You Can Do to Avoid the Litigation Frenzy
By: Michelle Cohen
Restaurant chain Applebee’s has joined other businesses such as Overstock.com, Hilton, Capitol One, and Bass Pro Shops as defendants in purported class action lawsuits alleging that they illegally recorded calls to or from California residents. In fact, plaintiffs have filed hundreds of individual and class actions in California courts under California’s various eavesdropping/call recording laws. Potential damages can include an award of $ 5,000 per…
$3.5 Million Cactus Juice Settlement Should be a Warning to Advertisers
August 14, 2014
$3.5 Million Cactus Juice Settlement Should be a Warning to Advertisers
By: Ifrah Law
In this health-conscious age, consumers are always on the lookout for new products which will improve wellness and quality of life. Marketers attuned to this trend may be tempted to increase sales by extolling the virtues of their products, even if health claims are unsubstantiated by scientific testing. A recent FTC case, however, demonstrates the price that advertisers pay for overstating health claims. The FTC…
Capital One Gets an Unwanted Wake Up Call
August 8, 2014
Capital One Gets an Unwanted Wake Up Call
By: Ifrah Law
In what could become the largest ever settlement in a case brought in the 22 year history of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), Capital One and three collection agencies agreed to pay over $75 million into a settlement fund to settle a consolidated class action lawsuit alleging that the companies used an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”) or prerecorded voices to call more than…
