Law Commons^™

Do We Need Help Using Yelp? Regulating Advertising On Mediated Reputation Systems, David Adam Friedman

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Yelp, Angie’s List, Avvo, and similar entities enable consumers to access an incredibly useful trove of information about peer experiences with businesses and their goods and services. These “mediated reputation systems,” gatherers and disseminators of consumer peer opinions, are more trusted by consumers than traditional commercial channels. They are omnipresent, carried everywhere on mobile devices, and used by consumers ready to transact.

Though this information is valuable, a troubling conflict emerges in its presentation. Most of these reputation platforms rely heavily on advertising sales to support their business models. This reliance compels these entities to display persuasive advertising right along …

In All Fairness: Using Political Broadcast Access Doctrine To Tailor Public Campaign Fund Matching, Andrew V. Moshirnia, Aaron T. Dozeman

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Recent United States Supreme Court decisions have undermined the viability of campaign public financing systems, a vital tool for fighting political corruption. First, Citizens United v. FEC allowed privately financed candidates and independent groups to spend unlimited amounts of money on campaigning. Publicly financed candidates now risk being vastly outspent. Second, Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom PAC v. Bennett invalidated a proportional fund matching system whereby privately financed candidates’ or independent groups’ spending triggered funds to publicly funded candidates. These decisions effectuate a libertarian speech doctrine: all speakers, individual or corporate, must be absolutely unburdened. To comply with this approach, …

Defining "Green": Toward Regulation Of Environmental Marketing Claims, Roger D. Wynne

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

This Note joins a rising chorus calling for government regulation of green marketing claims. It attempts to encourage and add a sense of urgency to a burgeoning regulatory movement by highlighting some of the legal issues that such regulation entails. Part I identifies a gap in the law: the inability of current truth-in-advertising laws to clarify the legality of green marketing claims. Part II urges bridging that gap quickly; it examines the costs of continued nonregulation and describes some of the forms regulation is taking. Part III attempts to allay any fears that such regulations might be challenged on first …

Attorney Solicitation: The Scope Of State Regulation After Primus And Ohralik, David A. Rabin

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

The purpose of this article is to analyze the opinions in Primus and Ohralik, to delineate the scope of permissible state regulation in the wake of those two decisions, and to recommend specific changes in existing state solicitation rules. Part I examines the general nature of attorney solicitation law - by whom it is made and how it is enforced. Part II describes the statutory and constitutional aspects of solicitation law prior to Primus and Ohralik. Part III discusses the Court's holdings in Primus and Ohralik, and the changes in current statutory schemes required by the two …

Souped Up Affirmative Disclosure Orders Of The Federal Trade Commission, William F. Lemke Jr.

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

Under section 5(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act the Commission is given authority to conduct hearings, make findings and issue cease and desist orders requiring any person, partnership or corporation to cease and desist from use of unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive practices in commerce. The Commission also issues consent orders in cases which are concluded by agreement between the Commission and the allegedly offending party. Consent orders have the same force and binding effect as those issued after hearings and findings. Although it is well established that the Commission has very broad discretion and authority …