Retail & E-Commerce

  • October 24, 2024

    2nd Circ. Largely OKs Gun Control Law After High Court Order

    The Second Circuit on Thursday stood by its previous decision that largely vacated an order enjoining several of New York's gun restrictions, saying a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling the high court told it to consider on remand had "little direct bearing" on its prior conclusions.

  • October 24, 2024

    FINRA Says Its Regs Apply To Metaverse, Seeks Comments

    Broker-dealers and other firms that are weighing incorporating the metaverse into their business operations should be mindful of how Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules apply to such activities and reach out with any concerns about regulatory ambiguities, the regulator said Thursday.

  • October 24, 2024

    Walmart Sued Over Deceptively Marketed Avocado Oil

    A Florida woman filed a proposed class action accusing Walmart Inc. of falsely advertising its avocado oil, deceiving consumers into thinking it was pure when it was actually cut with cheaper oils.

  • October 24, 2024

    Hemp Shops Sue DC Over Cannabis Raids

    Washington, D.C.'s cannabis authority is unjustly targeting two hemp retailers, preventing them from selling a number of their products and pushing them to the "brink of collapse," after incorrectly assuming they sell illicit marijuana, according to a lawsuit filed in D.C. superior court.

  • October 24, 2024

    Walmart Hid Patent Evidence, Co.'s Sanctions Bid Claims

    Zest Labs wants Walmart sanctioned in a suit claiming the retail giant stole the startup's trade secrets related to shelf-freshness technology, telling an Arkansas federal judge that Walmart hid important evidence about patents it had filed applications for.

  • October 24, 2024

    Trade Orgs Back Google's Bid For 9th Circ. Play Store Pause

    Trade groups and cybersecurity experts have told the Ninth Circuit to extend the pause on the mandate forcing Google to open up its Play Store and help rival app stores compete through that distribution mechanism, backing Google with amicus briefs warning of major disruptions to the app ecosystem.

  • October 24, 2024

    Seneca Foods Must Pay Steel Duties On Tin Imports

    The country's largest vegetable canner must pay Section 232 tariffs to import tin, after the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the U.S. Department of Commerce justified its belief that the company could source the steel domestically.

  • October 24, 2024

    Texas Says ATF 'Flouts' Its Function With Loophole Rule

    A Texas-led group of states has asked an Amarillo federal judge for a pretrial win in its lawsuit challenging a Biden administration rule that would close what's known as the "gun show loophole," writing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives "flout[ed] its limited function" by attempting to rewrite federal gun laws.

  • October 24, 2024

    Defunct Yoga Biz Co-Owner Cops To Tax-Dodging Conspiracy

    A Seattle-area computer programmer who co-owned the defunct Yoga to the People business told a Manhattan federal judge on Thursday that he schemed to short the IRS on over $4 million of income, copping to a tax fraud conspiracy count.

  • October 24, 2024

    Atlanta Demands End To Almost-Starbucks Demolition Suit

    The City of Atlanta has asked a Georgia federal judge to finally put an end to a suit from a company that says the city illegally initiated condemnation proceedings against a disused restaurant property, telling the court the suit contains "no substantive claims regarding any federal question."

  • October 24, 2024

    Court Pauses $8.5B Handbag Merger For FTC Challenge

    A New York federal judge on Thursday paused the planned $8.5 billion merger between the owners of Michael Kors and Coach while the Federal Trade Commission challenges the deal over concerns about "accessible luxury" handbags.

  • October 24, 2024

    Hemp Industry Group Sues Texas City, DEA Over Raids

    A hemp industry trade group has sued the city of Allen, Texas, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Texas federal court, alleging they raided and seized a small business' hemp inventory and arrested its manager in violation of state and federal law.

  • October 24, 2024

    EPA Finalizes New Standards For Lead Paint Dust

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said it's finalizing standards to better protect people from lead paint dust exposure, reducing the level considered hazardous and the levels that can remain after abatement work.

  • October 24, 2024

    Cigna, Frontier Renew Stalled Merger Bids, Plus Other Rumors

    Cigna Group and Frontier Airlines have both restarted once-stalled bids to acquire smaller rivals, rekindling merger rumors spanning the healthcare and airlines industries, while Sports Illustrated's secondary ticket platform wants to borrow up to $50 million to acquire competitor Anytickets. Here, Law360 breaks down these and other notable deal rumors from the past week.

  • October 23, 2024

    Kroger Implies Wash. AG Opposes Merger To Aid Gov. Run

    The Kroger Co. on Wednesday slammed Washington state's lawsuit targeting its proposed $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons during closing arguments, telling the trial judge that it needlessly duplicates the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust case and suggesting that the state's attorney general was out to boost his campaign for governor.

  • October 23, 2024

    Co. Misleads Claimants About Visa Mastercard MDL, Attys Say

    Class counsel for plaintiffs in long-running multidistrict litigation accusing Visa and Mastercard of charging improper merchant fees asked a New York federal judge to demand explanations from a third-party company over misleading statements it allegedly made regarding the claims-submission process for recovering settlement payments.

  • October 23, 2024

    Amazon Challenges Expert In $136M Ad Patent Case Defeat

    Amazon has asked U.S. District Judge Alan Albright to overturn a jury verdict behind a $136 million judgment it owes for infringing patents covering online ad space auctions, saying the small advertising software plaintiff's expert couldn't back up his infringement finding.

  • October 23, 2024

    Fed. Circ. Backs Customs Duties On Importer's Steel Tubing

    An importer couldn't convince the Federal Circuit that steel tubing that includes insulating materials could be imported as duty-free insulating conduits, with the panel saying Wednesday the materials aren't enough for the product to be insulating.

  • October 23, 2024

    Stop & Shop Parent Co. Sued Over Orange Soda Ingredient

    The parent company of grocery stores Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Hannaford and others was hit with a proposed class action Tuesday in North Carolina federal court alleging that the company's orange soda contained an oil additive that allegedly can cause neurological damage.

  • October 23, 2024

    NM Pot Cos. Say Border Agents Wrongfully Seized Product

    A group of state-licensed New Mexico cannabis companies allege in a new lawsuit that federal agents have been unlawfully seizing inventory and cash in contravention of a long-held U.S. policy of not interfering with state-regulated marijuana entities.

  • October 23, 2024

    DOJ Bolsters Defense In Pork Price-Fixing Case, Cos. Say

    Hormel, Tyson, JBS and other pork producers told a Minnesota federal court that a Justice Department intervention into a private price-fixing litigation actually backs their defense, even though the government took no position on the merits of the case.

  • October 23, 2024

    Amazon Must Face Drivers' Tip Suit Despite FTC Settlement

    A Washington federal judge largely refused Wednesday to toss a proposed class action accusing Amazon of violating Evergreen State laws by withholding portions of drivers' tips, saying the claims are still valid despite the Federal Trade Commission reaching a nearly $62 million deal with the company over the same alleged conduct.

  • October 23, 2024

    Pool Seller Gets Claims Trimmed In Child Drowning Suit

    A Missouri federal judge has thrown out the bulk of a couple's claims against pool seller Bestway (USA) Inc. over the drowning death of their daughter, dismissing negligence and warranty claims while allowing strict liability claims to go forward.

  • October 23, 2024

    Roundup Suit Pared As Preemption Claim Sways Mass. Judge

    A Massachusetts judge has dismissed portions of a suit claiming a woman's use of the weedkiller Roundup caused her cancer, ruling a federal labeling law preempts her theory that Monsanto failed to warn consumers about the chemical's dangers.

  • October 23, 2024

    Feds Urge High Court To Deny Cig Cos.' Bid To Ax New Rule

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court not to grant certiorari to a group of tobacco companies aiming to vacate a rule requiring larger warnings on cigarette boxes, saying the Fifth Circuit rightly found the proposed warnings don't violate the First Amendment's protection against compelled speech.

Expert Analysis

  • A Look At How De Minimis Import Rules May Soon Change

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    The planned implementation of executive actions focused on the de minimis rule as it applies to shipments means companies should use this interval to evaluate the potential applicability and impact of Section 301, Section 201 or Section 232 duties on their products, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.

  • Antitrust Issues To Watch Amid Google Ad Tech Trial

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    Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. Department of Justice's advertising technology antitrust suit against Google in Virginia federal court, matters ranging from market definition to unified pricing will likely have far-reaching implications for the digital advertising industry, competition and innovation, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.

  • What To Know About Latest Calif. Auto-Renewal Law Update

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    While businesses have about nine months to prepare before the recently passed amendment to California's automatic renewal law takes effect, it’s not too early to begin working on compliance efforts, including sign-up flow reviews, record retention updates and marketing language revisions, say Gonzalo Mon and Beth Chun at Kelley Drye.

  • How Lucia, Jarkesy Could Affect Grocery Merger Challenge

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    While the Federal Trade Commission is taking a dual federal court and administrative tribunal approach to block Kroger's merger with Alberstons, Kroger's long-shot unconstitutionality claims could potentially lead to a reevaluation of the FTC's reliance on administrative processes in complex merger cases, say attorneys at Saul Ewing.

  • How To Avoid Liability When Using Cookie Consent Managers

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    As companies attempt to comply with consumer protection laws by implementing cookie consent managers on their websites, they must be wary of separate legal risks that can stem from implementing or using these tools incorrectly, says Ian Cohen at LOKKER.

  • Basel Endgame Rules: A Change Is Coming

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    The Federal Reserve Board's recently announced recalibration of the Basel endgame proposal begins a critical chapter in the evolution of not only the safety and soundness of U.S. banks, but also of banks' abilities to lend and support American businesses and consumers, say attorneys at Davis Wright.

  • Series

    Round-Canopy Parachuting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Similar to the practice of law, jumping from an in-flight airplane with nothing but training and a few yards of parachute silk is a demanding and stressful endeavor, and the experience has bolstered my legal practice by enhancing my focus, teamwork skills and sense of perspective, says Thomas Salerno at Stinson.

  • Why Now Is The Time For Law Firms To Hire Lateral Partners

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    Partner and associate mobility data from the second quarter of this year suggest that there's never been a better time in recent years for law firms to hire lateral candidates, particularly experienced partners — though this necessitates an understanding of potential red flags, say Julie Henson and Greg Hamman at Decipher Investigative Intelligence.

  • Considering Possible PR Risks Of Certain Legal Tactics

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    Disney and American Airlines recently abandoned certain litigation tactics in two lawsuits after fierce public backlash, illustrating why corporate counsel should consider the reputational implications of any legal strategy and partner with their communications teams to preempt public relations concerns, says Chris Gidez at G7 Reputation Advisory.

  • How Labeling And Testing May Help Reduce PFAS Litigation

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    As regulators take steps to reduce consumers’ exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals, companies can take a proactive approach to mitigating litigation risks not only by labeling their products transparently, but also by complying with testing and marketing standards, says Sarah La Pearl at Segal McCambridge.

  • It's No Longer Enough For Firms To Be Trusted Advisers

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    Amid fierce competition for business, the transactional “trusted adviser” paradigm from which most firms operate is no longer sufficient — they should instead aim to become trusted partners with their most valuable clients, says Stuart Maister at Strategic Narrative.

  • Behind 3rd Circ. Ruling On College Athletes' FLSA Eligibility

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    The Third Circuit's decision that college athletes are not precluded from bringing a claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act raises key questions about the practical consequences of treating collegiate athletes as employees, such as Title IX equal pay claims and potential eligibility for all employment benefits, say attorneys at Debevoise.

  • Commerce Proposal Could Ease Trade Remedy Administration

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    Recently proposed international trade enforcement regulations could help the U.S. Department of Commerce more easily administer antidumping and countervailing duty remedies, in turn maximizing relief to American companies adversely affected by unfair trade, says Natan Tubman at Buchanan Ingersoll.

  • Rise Of Transpo Contractors Brings Insurance Disputes

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    As more independent contractors are contracted and subcontracted in the delivery industry, companies must be prepared to defend claims from drivers who are injured on the job as they are often seeking to establish an employment relationship with one of the entities in the chain, says Nathan Milner at Goldberg Segalla.

  • 'Greenhushing': Why Some Cos. Are Keeping Quiet On ESG

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    A wave of ESG-related litigation and regulations have led some companies to retreat altogether from any public statements about their ESG goals, a trend known as "greenhushing" that was at the center of a recent D.C. court decision involving Coca-Cola, say Gonzalo Mon and Katie Rogers at Kelley Drye.

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