Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 18 AUGUST 2020

Product Liability Update: August 2020

Foley Hoag LLP
Explore more from Foley Hoag LLP

First Circuit Finds No Personal Jurisdiction Over Breach Of Contract Claims Against Alabama Online Educational Institution Where Contract Was Created While Plaintiff Was Alabama...

United StatesConsumer Protection
David Geiger
David Geiger
Author LinkedIn connections

Foley Hoag LLP publishes this quarterly Update primarily concerning developments in product liability and related law from federal and state courts applicable to Massachusetts, but also featuring selected developments for New York and New Jersey. If you find this update useful, please encourage your colleagues and contacts to also register with us on our Web site. As always, you can access all of our publications at www.foleyhoag.com.

Included in this Issue:

MASSACHUSETTS

  • First Circuit Finds No Personal Jurisdiction Over Breach Of Contract Claims Against Alabama Online Educational Institution Where Contract Was Created While Plaintiff Was Alabama Resident And His Massachusetts Residence When Dispute Arose Was Result of His Unilateral Action And Did Not Constitute Defendant's "Purposeful Availment" Of Benefits Of Conduct In Massachusetts

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

New York City’s Click-to-Cancel Rule: What Businesses Need To Know

New York City has enacted the nation's first municipal click-to-cancel rule, requiring businesses to provide clear disclosures, simple cancellation processes, and advance renewal notices for subscription services. With approximately 30 states already implementing similar regulations and the federal landscape in flux following the FTC's vacated rule, companies now face an increasingly complex patchwork of compliance obligations. The rule takes effect October 1, 2026, and imposes penalties ranging from $525 t
United StatesConsumer Protection
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Article

FCC Replaces TCPA “Revoke All” Rule: New Category-Specific Opt-Out Rules For Robocalls And Robotexts

The Federal Communications Commission has fundamentally altered how businesses must handle consumer opt-out requests under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, replacing the broad "revoke all" mandate with a more nuanced, category-specific approach for informational messages. This regulatory shift allows companies to maintain separate consent tracks for different types of non-marketing communications while preserving stricter opt-out requirements for telemarketing messages. The Updated Order introduces ne
United StatesConsumer Protection
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Article

Amway To Pay $225 Million Over Alleged False Earnings Claims And Fabricated Sales

The FTC and Washington state secured a record $225 million settlement from Amway and affiliated groups over allegations they misled recruits about earnings potential while pressuring them to buy products with little retail opportunity. The complaint reveals that over three-quarters of U.S. product volume was sold to IBOs themselves rather than retail customers, with fabricated sales reporting masking the recruitment-driven model. The settlement's injunctive provisions establish new standards for earnings cl
United StatesConsumer Protection
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Article

FTC Asks Whether Platform Ad Tools Fuel Impersonation Scams

The Federal Trade Commission is exploring whether digital platforms should bear greater responsibility for preventing impersonation ads that falsely pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies. Through an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the agency seeks public input on potential amendments to its existing Impersonation Rule, examining how ad-optimization tools and platform practices...
United StatesConsumer Protection
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

CONGRESS FIRES BACK?: New Bill Seeks To Revive Written Consent Rule Under TCPA

Congress has introduced the Stop Spam Calls Act, directing the FCC to revise the definition of prior express written consent under the TCPA to require one-to-one seller consent and logical relevance between sellers and website content. This legislative move comes as the Fifth Circuit questions whether written consent is even required under the TCPA, creating a fascinating tension between congressional intent and judicial interpretation that could reshape telemarketing compliance.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Troutman Amin LLP
Troutman Amin LLP
Article

The Coming State-Law Litigation Wave Of 2026-27: “Subscription Trap” Class Actions

State-law class actions targeting automatic renewal and subscription practices are accelerating, creating significant litigation risk for companies that rely on recurring revenue models. Recent settlements demonstrate that even technical compliance failures can lead to seven-figure exposure, with California, Illinois, and Virginia statutes driving the most aggressive litigation.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Article

FTC Announces Settlement And Articulates Knowledge Standard For Payment-Processor Liability

The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with a payment processor and four affiliated entities over allegations that they knowingly facilitated deceptive merchants, including foreign tech-support operations, in accessing the U.S. card-payment system. The case resulted in a $4.85 million monetary judgment and features a significant Joint Statement from FTC leadership establishing a knowledge standard for unfair payment-processing claims under Section 5.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

California Requires Disclosure Of AI-Generated People In Advertising

California has enacted a groundbreaking AI disclosure law requiring advertisers to clearly identify when synthetic performers appear in their marketing materials. The legislation, set to take effect in 2027, includes a private right of enforcement that could potentially open the door to class action litigation against brands using AI-generated performers without proper disclosure.
United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Virginia’s Initial Draft Of Adult-use Marijuana Regulations – What You Should Know And What Questions Remain

Virginia's Cannabis Control Authority has released its initial draft of adult-use marijuana regulations, outlining application fees, license caps, and the approval process for the state's anticipated July 2027 launch of recreational cannabis sales. While the draft provides crucial details on licensing requirements and ownership restrictions, significant questions remain about the application timeline and evaluation criteria that will determine which entities receive coveted permits.
United StatesConsumer Protection
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

Rising Cyberattacks On U.S. Water Infrastructure: Federal Guidance And Next Steps For Operators

Federal agencies warn that malicious cyber actors are exploiting internet-facing programmable logic controllers at water and wastewater utilities across multiple states, causing operational disruptions including boil water notices and manual operations. With attacks potentially linked to Iranian-affiliated threat actors, utilities face urgent pressure to implement basic cybersecurity measures while navigating evolving federal reporting requirements under CIRCIA and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
United StatesTechnology
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

FDA Holds Landmark Public Hearing On The Future Therapeutic Use Of Psychedelic Drugs

The FDA, in collaboration with federal partners, held a landmark public hearing on September 14, 2026, to gather input on the future therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, drawing over 18,000 registered attendees. This hearing represents one of the earliest implementations of Executive Order 14401, which directs federal agencies to expedite research, review, and approval of psychedelic drugs for serious mental health conditions.
United StatesFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

OCC Proposes BSA/AML And Sanctions Compliance Standards For Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers Under The GENIUS Act

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has proposed new regulations that would impose Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions compliance requirements on permitted payment stablecoin issuers under its jurisdiction. This rulemaking, coordinated with FinCEN and OFAC, establishes anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and sanctions program standards for stablecoin issuers as part of the broader implementation of the GENIUS Act framework.
United StatesFinance and Banking
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

UPDATE: DEA Publishes Registration Applications For Medical Marijuana Manufacturers, Distributors, And Analytical Labs

The DEA has opened new registration portals for medical marijuana manufacturers, distributors, and analytical labs, expanding beyond the dispensary registration that became available earlier this year. These applications require extensive business information and background disclosures, with fees ranging from $296 to $3,699, and may provide significant compliance and commercial benefits for cannabis businesses operating under state medical marijuana programs.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

IRC Section 280E And Cannabis Tax Planning: Recent Developments And Practical Considerations

The landscape surrounding Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code continues to evolve with President Trump's Executive Order on medical marijuana rescheduling, advancing litigation in New Mexico Top Organics v. Commissioner, and shifting regulatory signals. Cannabis taxpayers face critical decisions about taking "non-280E" positions on their tax returns while the IRS maintains its enforcement stance and the U.S. Tax Court case addressing common arguments remains pending.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP