Monthly Archives: March 2020

“Maximum Strength” is plausibly misleading when cheaper Regular Strength has more active ingredient by volume

Posted on March 30, 2020 by rtushnet

Al Haj v. Pfizer Inc., 2019 WL 3202807, No. 17 C 6730 (N.D. Ill. Jul. 16, 2019) Al Haj alleged that Pfizer deceived consumers by charging more for “Maximum Strength” Robitussin cough syrup than for “Regular Strength” Robitussin even though … Continue reading →

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100% Pure Aloe can contain preservatives, stabilizers in the absence of evidence from consumers that they care

Posted on March 30, 2020 by rtushnet

Beardsall v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., — F.3d —-, 2020 WL 1429214, No. 19-1850 (2d Cir. Mar. 24, 2020) The court explains: Plaintiffs brought state consumer deception claims [under 12 different states’ laws] against defendant Fruit of the Earth and its … Continue reading →

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antitrust claim based in part on false advertising in concentrated market survives

Posted on March 30, 2020 by rtushnet

Chase Manufacturing, Inc. v. Johns Manville Corp., 2020 WL 1433504, No. 19-cv-00872-MEH (D. Colo. Mar. 23, 2020) (magistrate) Chase sued JM for violations of the Lanham Act and the Sherman Act for tying and monopolization. JM sells construction products, including … Continue reading →

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230 protects anti-malware vendor against noncompetitors

Posted on March 30, 2020 by rtushnet

Asurvio LP v. Malwarebytes Inc., No. 5:18-cv-05409-EJD, 2020 WL 1478345 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 26, 2020) Despite unfavorable precedent, Malwarebytes secures dismissal of this Lanham Act false advertising (and common law disparagement/tortious interference/unfair competition/ violation of the Texas Theft Liability Act … Continue reading →

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“no soy protein” claim for dog food plausibly indicates no soy

Posted on March 23, 2020 by rtushnet

Rice-Sherman v. Big Heart Pet Brands, Inc., No. 19-cv-03613-WHO, 2020 WL 1245130 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 16, 2020) Plaintiffs alleged that Big Heart falsely markets its Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food as “Grain … Continue reading →

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Statements in book promoting addiction treatment protected by Cal anti-SLAPP law

Posted on March 23, 2020 by rtushnet

Selkirk v. Grasshopper House, LLC, 2020 WL 1241565, No. B294568 (Cal. Ct. App. Mar. 16, 2020) Defendants Grasshopper House and Passages Silver Strand “are luxury facilities that purport to treat drug and alcohol addiction.” Former patients sued them for allegedly … Continue reading →

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Mislabeled image of competitor’s LED screen as LG’s gets LG in trouble

Posted on March 23, 2020 by rtushnet

Sansi North America, LLC v. LG Electronics USA, Inc., 2019 WL 8168069, No. CV 18-3541 PSG (SKx) (C.D. Cal. Nov. 14, 2019) LG used a picture of Sansi’s LED displays in an article for a trade publication and accidentally labeled … Continue reading →

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Selling scammy books is protected by the First Amendment when selling scammy products isn’t

Posted on March 12, 2020 by rtushnet

Federal Trade Comm’n v. Agora Financial, LLC, 2020 WL 998734, No. 1:19-cv-3100-SAG (D. Md. Mar. 2, 2020) The defendants do relatively well here by selling scammy and deceptive books. To the extent that the deception is contained in the books, … Continue reading →

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negative inference about other juices from “no sugar added” on D’s juice is implausible

Posted on March 12, 2020 by rtushnet

Shaeffer v. Califia Farms, LLC, 44 Cal.App.5th 1125, No. B291085 (Feb. 6, 2020) Califia sells a “100% Tangerine Juice.” The front label includes “100% Tangerine Juice,” “No Sugar Added,” and “Never From Concentrate.” Shaeffer brought the usual California claims, alleging … Continue reading →

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commercial advertising & promotion post-Lexmark: 10th Circuit preserves old test

Posted on March 10, 2020 by rtushnet

Strauss v. Angie’s List, Inc., — F.3d —-, 2020 WL 1126523, No. 19-3025 (10th Cir. Mar. 9, 2020) Lexmark, most courts have recognized, changed prong 2 of the standard Gordon & Breach test for “commercial advertising or promotion.” Unfortunately, the … Continue reading →

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