Tag Archives: false advertising

1201 claim to control device features survives

Philips North America, LLC v. v. Summit Imaging Inc., 2020 WL 1515624, No. C19-1745JLR (W.D. Wash. Mar. 30, 2020) But I was told that after Lexmark and Chamberlain, manufacturers weren’t using §1201 claims to control devices! The parties compete to … Continue reading

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Humvees in Call of Duty are constitutionally protected realism, not confusing/diluting

AM General LLC v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., No. 17 Civ. 8644 (GBD) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2020) The district court allows Humvees to appear in realistic videogames by performing a full confusion analysis, despite purporting to follow Rogers v. Grimaldi. The … Continue reading

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lawsuit against supplement for implying arthritis claims not preempted

Yamagata v. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, 2020 WL 1505724, No. 17-cv-03529-VC (N.D. Cal. Mar. 30, 2020) A very clear opinion. Yamagata challenged RB’s advertising for joint supplements under California and NY law. As the court explained: “If the boxes are best understood … Continue reading

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T-Mobile is plausibly liable for acts of explicitly authorized dealers

City of New York v. T-Mobile USA, Inc., 2020 WL 1498522, No. 451540/2019 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Mar. 23, 2020) The City of New York and the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) sued T-Mobile, its subsidiary MetroPCS New … Continue reading

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A blueberry bagel that is mostly imitation blueberry is plausibly misleading

Izquierdo v. Panera Bread Co., No. 18-CV-12127 (VSB), 2020 WL 1503557 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2020) Panera sold a “blueberry bagel” that allegedly wasn’t.  [My father thinks that bagels with fruit etc. in them already aren’t bagels, but the allegation here … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

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

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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