Tag Archives: consumer rights

Dark Patterned Future

Due to the implementation of questionable business practices, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against Amazon. Allegedly, to convince customers to enroll in Prime subscriptions, the company has engaged in trickery. The effort has apparently been ongoing for years and has led to the positive outcome of increased sales for the company. In the lawsuit filed by the FTC, the agency claims that Amazon not only uses deceptive techniques for attracting customers to the Prime subscription, but also makes it difficult for existing customers to cancel their subscriptions. Some are not even aware that the subscriptions are recurring and are renewed without their consent.

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Settlement is a Juul

E-cigarette marketing mishap

Initially filed in 2019, King County, WA targeted the company that produces and markets Juul e-cigarette products, Juul Labs Inc. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff claimed that Juul purposefully advertised its flavored vapor devices to teenagers and a younger generation. Although the e-cigarette company challenged the claims brought against the company, the parties involved have agreed to settle the Washington state lawsuit for $23 million. While based on the settlement agreement, King County may accumulate an additional $1.8 million, the compensation awarded in the lawsuit will aid in the funding of local tobacco-use prevention programs. Continue reading →

That’s the Ticket

Is it worth the price?

Following a Taylor Swift ticket sale meltdown in November, certain legislators are turning their focus to concert ticket competition. Specifically, they are considering the statistic that 70% of tickets sold for concert venues in the United States are distributed through Ticketmaster, an exclusively online company that merged with the comparable service Live Nation in 2010. Legislators argue that the company maintains a strong monopoly of the ticket sale market, making it difficult for consumers to evaluate additional competitive offers or options. As a business that reaches at least 30 countries, Ticketmaster processes 500 million ticket sale transactions each year. Continue reading →

New Lawsuit Fires Up

Distilling a class action

Those who consume the occasional alcoholic beverage may or may not have noticed that the mini bottles sold under the Fireball Cinnamon label do not contain whisky. While the specific word “whisky” is not displayed on the product name, it may be assumed that the product is comparable, arguably identical to the larger variety Fireball Cinnamon Whisky bottle. In response to the apparent deceptiveness, plaintiff Anna Marquez has filed a class action lawsuit against the US-based manufacturer, Sazerac Co. Inc. In addition to damages, Marquez is also requesting a jury trial and injunction relief. Continue reading →

Studio Delivers a False Ad

Actress didn’t make the cut

A judge has ruled that despite free speech protections, based on a commercial factor, movie studios could be held liable for releasing content in previews or trailers that do not later display on the big screen. The ruling leaves the right to sue in the hands of fans. Aside from providing moviegoers with a heartfelt comedy for the ages, the 2019 film, Yesterday, also produced a trailer that featured actress, Ana de Armas, in the role of a potential love interest. The actress, who stars in Knives Out and Blonde, delivered a strong performance that is now included as a deleted scene in Yesterday. Continue reading →