Welcome to Our 300th Edition!
Much has changed since we launched Venable’s Advertising Law News and Analysis more than seven years ago, but one constant is that advertising law keeps changing. Each week, we strive to deliver insights to your inbox that keep you abreast of that evolving landscape. Thank you for reading and let us know if you have comments or would like to see certain topics addressed in future issues.
Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto Officially Joins Venable
Venable announced that Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto, a leading intellectual property firm, has successfully joined Venable effective November 1. Joining from Fitzpatrick are 97 attorneys and 70 staff members who will be in the New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles offices.
Stu Ingis, chairman of Venable, said, "Fitzpatrick has a long-standing reputation as one of the finest IP firms in the country, with an impressive roster of talented attorneys who share our core values and deep commitment to client service. This addition to our existing IP practice will benefit our clients who require deep IP support and will strengthen the firm as a whole."
Venable’s highly rated Intellectual Property practice now has about 170 lawyers, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated in the country. In addition, Venable's New York City presence has grown to more than 160 lawyers, making it one of the largest firms in the city.
New Faces, Same FTC
For the first time in its history, the Federal trade Commission (FTC) has five new Commissioners in a calendar year, writes Venable partner Leonard Gordon in a recent blog post. This unprecedented change has cast uncertainty on how the FTC will approach consumer protection enforcement. However, recent actions by the Commission indicate that its focus will be largely unchanged.
FTC Stems Doc's Stem Cell Claims
The FTC recently settled a case against a physician and his two clinics over allegedly deceptive and unsubstantiated claims relating to their “amniotic stem cell therapy.” This isn’t the FTC’s first settlement in the medical space this year, write Venable attorneys Len Gordon and Matt Renick in a recent blog post. The FTC appears to remain focused on health claims of all types and also to be following the marketing of new or innovative treatment modalities. Folks involved in advertising health care services would be wise to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2018 ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference
November 7-9, 2018 | Chicago
Venable is a proud sponsor of the 2018 ANA/BAA Law Conference, the premier forum for marketing and advertising legal and business professionals. Hear from more than 135 of the nation's leading executive and legal speakers from the marketing and advertising, privacy, social media, and IP law bars, as well as in-house counsel from major brands and prominent federal and state regulators. Hear from our Venable attorneys at any of the following sessions:
Po Yi and Pauline Jaturongpanich will present "Influencers Marketing Native Advertising and User Generated Content" on November 7 at 2:20 p.m.
Melissa Landau Steinman will present "Loyalty Programs: Litigation & Regulatory Concerns" on November 8 at 4:25 p.m.
Jessica Borowick will present "Celebrity/Talent" on November 9 at 1:55 p.m.
Personalized Nutrition: Leveraging Technology and Big Data to Provide Actionable Insight and Effective Solutions
November 7, 2018 | SupplySide West 2018 Conference and Expo | Las Vegas, NV
Personalized nutrition continues to evolve at a rapid pace as advances in science and technology are matched by increasing consumer interest. Tapping into this burgeoning market is no easy feat; brands are charged with acquiring large amounts of data and utilizing it by leveraging technologies such as algorithms and artificial intelligence to provide actionable insight and effective solutions. Venable's Emilio Cividanes will discuss the challenges and legal considerations of acquiring and utilizing data, such as data sharing and privacy, the current market landscape, and more.
CBD and Hemp Extracts: How Do We Move Forward?
November 7, 2018 | SupplySide West 2018 Conference and Expo | Las Vegas, NV
Over the last five years, demand for cannabidiol (CBD) and related whole-plant hemp extracts has grown exponentially. Colorado-based Hemp Business Journal estimates the total CBD industry—including both hemp- and marijuana-derived sources—grew to $360 million in U.S. sales in 2017, reflecting a 37 percent growth rate. Despite the surging demand for hemp-derived products, the CBD industry continues to face myriad challenges. In this three-hour workshop, Venable's Todd Harrison will host a discussion with leading hemp executives and attorneys about the current landscape for CBD and strategies to mature as an industry and overcome hurdles to growth.