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Abbreviated sweepstakes rules: Don’t give them short shrift

December 11, 2013
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You couldn’t live in the United States very long without at some point seeing abbreviated rules for a sweepstakes. They are usually found in the fine print at the bottom of an ad, sign, email message, bottle top, or banner, and almost always begin with the words “NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.” READ MORE

Do’s and don’ts for dot-com ads

Mark Sableman April 3, 2013
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Internet and mobile advertising is subject to the same rules as anything else, the Federal Trade Commission recently assured us in a detailed 53-page booklet. To be fair, online advertising is subject to ordinary advertising rules. But there are always twists to how ordinary rules are applied online. READ MORE

Boot Camp #3: Travel prizes

February 15, 2013
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“Win a trip to Tahiti.” “Travel to a NASCAR Race.” “You May Win a Fishing Trip to Canada.” “Win a Trip to Outer Space on the Virgin Galactic.” All of these titles are guaranteed to attract attention, particularly that last option, which could send your contest entrants over the moon with excitement. READ MORE

Lawyer who lost $100,000 contest prize spurs debate about ‘vote farming’

October 9, 2012
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Broadly defined, “vote farming” involves contest entrants launching broad social media or online “campaigns” with the goal of soliciting votes from strangers and winning the contest. READ MORE

The IRS wins every sweepstakes

May 2, 2012
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The IRS and state treasurers don’t care who wins the prize because they are guaranteed to receive a share of virtually every prize awarded. READ MORE

Sweepstakes loser wins in Canada’s highest court

March 5, 2012
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This decision sends a clear message to anyone sponsoring a sweepstakes or contest in Canada (and particularly in Quebec) that promotions such as this must not deceive consumers. READ MORE