Two recent cases by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) demonstrate its position that paid endorsements in social media must be disclosed. These cases reinforce the FTC’s stance on transparency in native advertising, which is paid advertising made to look like the media content around it.

The FTC has approved a final consent order with Machinima, Inc. requiring the company to disclose when it has compensated “influencers” to post online videos or product endorsements. According to the FTC’s complaint, the California-based online entertainment network engaged in deceptive advertising by paying influencers to post online videos endorsing a home video game system and several games, without disclosing that they were being paid for their opinions.

Although not yet final, the FTC has also proposed a consent order with department store chain Lord & Taylor, based on that company’s advertising campaign for a new apparel line using a paid article in online fashion

An increasing number of retailers are facing lawsuits or threats of lawsuits regarding website accessibility under the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”), despite the fact that the ADA and its implementing regulations do not expressly address website accessibility.

The Department of Justice first announced in 2010 that it would issue formal regulations regarding website accessibility, but they now are not expected until 2018. In the meantime, the number of cases against retailers and others continue to mount, and judges show no propensity to dismiss or stay the cases while the DOJ works on its regulations.  Last month, a federal magistrate judge in a website accessibility case against Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology rejected arguments that the court should dismiss or stay those cases pending issuance of the DOJ regulations.

Further, for what is believed to be the first time in any court, a California judge recently

The Proposition 65 warning requirement for Bisphenol-A (“BPA”) takes effect on May 11, 2016, but a recent emergency regulation has revised the warning requirements for food and beverage products only.

Pursuant to an emergency regulation proposed by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the Proposition 65 warning for such food and beverage products may be posted at all point-of-sale devices. The warning should be at least 5 inches by 5 inches, and the language as revised should state:

WARNING

Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to the State of California to cause harm to the female reproductive system.  Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA.

You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers.

For more information, go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/BPA

OEHHA

The California Proposition 65 warning requirement for Bisphenol-A (“BPA”) takes effect on May 11, 2016, and retailers, manufacturers, and distributors should act now to reduce potential liability.

BPA is used in a wide variety of plastic consumer products, including the epoxy lining in food and beverage cans and bottle lids, some reusable food and drink containers, CDs and DVDs, and electronics and sports equipment made from polycarbonate plastics.  California has not yet adopted a safe harbor level for exposure to BPA below which no warning is required, but recently proposed a safe harbor level of 3 micrograms per day for dermal BPA exposure from solid materials.  The safe harbor level will not be adopted prior to May 11, however, when the warning requirement takes effect.

In the meantime, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment (OEHHA) has proposed an emergency regulation to allow temporary use of a standard point-of-sale warning