On July 29, 2016, President Obama signed into law the federal genetically engineered (GE) food labeling bill (S. 764). The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 14, 2016, 306-117, with broad bipartisan support. The Senate had previously passed the final bill, …›
A judge in the Eastern District of California recently dismissed a class action filed against LogMeIn based on the company’s decision to terminate its free app, which allowed users to access a remote desktop computer via a virtual private network. Handy v. LogMeIn, Inc., …›
Four years after California’s genetically engineered (GE) food labeling initiative was defeated, but just days before Vermont’s GE law is to go into effect, the U.S. Senate is poised to impose such labeling nationwide. The proposed legislation is the result of a compromise of …›
On April 22, 2016, in Alaei v. Kraft Heinz Food Co. (“Heinz”), No. 3:15-cv-02961, Southern District of California Judge Michael M. Anello granted defendant Heinz’s motion to dismiss without prejudice plaintiff Suzanne Alaei’s “Made in the U.S.A.” false advertising claims. The court held that …›
On May 5, 2016, the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court’s decision to dismiss, without leave to amend, a class action complaint alleging a violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act against Costco for the deceptive labeling of its “VitaRain Tropical Mango Vitamin Enhanced …›
A California federal court recently denied a motion to certify a class of Kohl’s customers allegedly misled by false advertising, finding that plaintiff Wendy Chowning’s claim was a copycat of an earlier-filed case, Russell, et al. v. Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc., 5:15-cv-01143 (C.D. Cal., …›
The NAD[1] recently referred certain green marketing claims made by LEI Electronics Inc. (LEI) regarding its Eco Alkalines batteries to the FTC after the company stated it would not comply with the NAD’s decision and recommendation. LEI Elecs., Inc. (Eco Alkalines Batteries) NAD Report No. …›
The Ninth Circuit has upheld dismissal of a class action complaint on Twombly/Iqbal plausibility grounds, noting that the standard has its roots in “judicial experience and common sense.” In Ebner v. Fresh, Inc., — F.3d —-, No. 13-56644, 2016 WL 1056088 (9th Cir. Mar. …›
The Rutter Group’s Bus. & Prof. C. § 17200 Practice 2016 update is now available. MoFo’s own William Stern is the author of The Rutter Group’s treatise, which covers plaintiff and defense representation under California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws as well as …›
A California federal district court recently denied a plaintiff’s second attempt to certify a class of Yakult consumers allegedly misled by Yakult’s packaging and advertising claims touting the health benefits of its yogurt, finding that the plaintiff’s attempt to “manufacture” standing once again fell …›