FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

19
© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims January 11, 2011, Affiliate Summit West 2011

description

The FTC’s focus on prosecuting affiliate networks; lessons from the FTC’s recent case against affiliates, FTC v. Cantkier, et al.; and what this means for you.Experience level: IntermediateTarget audience: Affiliates/PublishersNiche/vertical: FTCJeff Ifrah, Partner, Ifrah Law (Twitter @crimeinthesuite)

Transcript of FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

Page 1: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

January 11, 2011, Affiliate Summit West 2011

Page 2: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims
Page 3: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

WHO WE ARE

JEFF IFRAH: Partner

IFRAH LAW: A Focus on Government InvestigationsAnd E-Commerce

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 4: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

TODAY’S PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

• Insider’s Understanding of the FTC

• Real-life Examples & What They Mean to You

• Staying Out of the Government’s Cross-hairs

• Critical Advice “in the event…”

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 5: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

• WHO?

• WHAT?

• WHY?

• HOW?

Page 6: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

FTC PRIORITIZES AFFILIATE MARKETERS

“Anyone in the chain between a seller and the ultimate

consumer.”- David Vladeck, Director FTC Bureau of Consumer

Protection

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 7: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

SO, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN…

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

•What is UNFAIR?

•What is DECEPTIVE?

Page 8: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

GUIDANCE FROM THE FTC

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 9: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

AND THAT MEANS…

Advertisers, Brokers & Affiliates

Advertisers, Brokers & Affiliates,

Advertisers, Brokers & Affiliates,

Page 10: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

REVISED ENDORSEMENT GUIDES

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Disclaimers

Page 11: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

SOCIAL MEDIA & PAID BLOGGERS

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

They paid me…

Page 12: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

FTC V. REVERB COMMUNICATIONS

“GREAT, family-friendly board game app”“One of the best apps just got better”

Page 13: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST AFFILIATES

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 14: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

HOW TO STAY OFF THE FTC’S RADAR

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 15: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

CRITICAL ADVICE “IN THE EVENT…”

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 16: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 17: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

FTC PROSECUTION OF GIRLS GONE WILD

“ Monthly Preview Program. 30-day money back guarantee if not completely satisfied. Additional title $19.99 + $4.99 shipping and handling. Cancel Anytime.”

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 18: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims

JEFF IFRAH, IFRAH [email protected] / P (202)

912-4823Blog FTCBeat.com

© 2010 Ifrah PLLC. Proprietary and Confidential. / (202) 912-4823 / ifrahlaw.com

Page 19: FTC Prosecution of Affiliates for Advertising Claims