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Consumer Review Protection Now Part of Federal Law

Seal of the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016Consumer review protection now is part of federal law. Specifically, in December 2016, Congress passed, and then-President Obama signed, the Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016, 15 USC Section 45b.

Interestingly, this law has some similarities to – but is more detailed than – a law that California put into effect about two years earlier. See Consumer Non-disparagement Clauses Nixed in California. However, the federal law applies only to consumer reviews that involve interstate commerce. (more…)

FTC Says Gag Clauses Violate Federal Law

Seal of the Federal Trade Commission, which filed a Complaint about gag clausesLast year, I wrote about a California law that prohibits non-disparagement clauses in consumer contracts. (See Consumer Non-disparagement Clauses Nixed in California.) Recently, the Federal Trade Commission took the position that such “gag clauses violate federal law, as well.

Roca Labs’ Obesity Treatment

Roca Labs, Inc. claims that it has an alternative to bariatric surgery as a treatment for obesity. Roca says that its “proprietary regimen decreases hunger motivation, decreases urge to eat, and reduces gastric capacity by 45% to 65%.” (more…)

Consumer Non-disparagement Clauses Nixed in California

Yelp logo, symbolizing prohibition of consumer non-disparagement clauses under California lawEarlier this month, Governor Brown approved California Assembly Bill No. 2365. This bill added Civil Code Section 1670.8, which prohibits non-disparagement clauses in consumer contracts.

Statute Prohibits Non-disparagement Clauses

Core protections are set forth in Subsection (a) of that statute. (more…)