Businesses can face penalties even for well-intentioned contract terms. As consumer review protections expand nationwide, even well-intentioned and passive contractual language can unknowingly land businesses on the wrong side of a lawsuit. Nearly a decade ago,...
eCommerce
TikTok Shop’s First Major Review War? New Legal Considerations for Brands and Influencers
On January 16, 2026, Shenzhen Zhihuida Technology Co., Ltd. — the Chinese manufacturer behind the popular Meowant self‑cleaning litter box — and its U.S. distributor Gaosto Ltd. filed a federal lawsuit against rival PetPivot Inc. and several TikTok creators in the...
A New Year Reset for Marketplace Sellers: What to Get Right in 2026
The start of a new year offers ecommerce businesses an opportunity to reset. For online sellers, 2026 brings familiar pressures: platform enforcement, consumer protection scrutiny, and IP disputes—alongside evolving regulations and rising expectations from both...
Schedule A Lawsuits: What You Need to Know
Over the last decade, Schedule A lawsuits have become a central enforcement mechanism for brand owners seeking to combat the surge of online counterfeiting and infringement. These cases—most commonly filed in the Northern District of Illinois for historically positive...
Peanut Butter, Jelly & Litigation: Smucker’s Uncrustables Versus Trader Joe’s Crustless Sandwiches
In a lawsuit about sandwiches, the legal implications are anything but soft, and the stakes are high. The J.M. Smucker Company filed a federal lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, alleging that the grocery chain’s crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches infringe on...
Can My Business Sue Over Negative or Fake Online Reviews?
Online reviews can make or break a business. A stream of positive comments can boost visibility, attract new customers, and build trust. On the other hand, a single harsh or fake review can tarnish a company’s reputation overnight. In today’s digital age, where...
Price-Fixing Allegations Targeting the Archery Industry: Key Takeaways from Janochoski v. Hoyt
MAP Policies Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) Policies are unilateral policies set by manufacturers that dictate the advertised price for products, but not the actual resale price. These policies promote healthy competition among resellers, protect brand value, maintain...
Best Buy Launches Third-Party Marketplace to Broaden Consumer Access
In a significant strategic move, Best Buy has officially launched a new third-party online marketplace, integrating it into BestBuy.com and in the Best Buy App. This launch more than doubles the retailer’s online product assortment, introducing hundreds of new brands...
Our Value is Brand Value: Combating Unauthorized Resellers
In today’s ecommerce-driven economy, brand owners face a relentless challenge: unauthorized resellers who flood online marketplaces with products that undermine brand value, confuse consumers and compromise quality standards. These resellers may operate in gray areas...
L.A.B. Golf and Lululemon’s Costco Membership May Be Expired: How Costco is Highlighting Challenges Faced by Brands
Costco Wholesale, known for its sales model which provides a wide array of products at significant discounts to its members, is facing allegations from Lululemon and L.A.B. Golf regarding unauthorized sales and product imitations. Lululemon, a premium athletic apparel...