Privacy
Information Commissioner enters the Phorm debate
Phorm has reportedly created the world's first "privacy-friendly" behavioural marketing platform, something which is hotly
disputed by privacy lobbyists pushing for Phorm to be criminalised. Now the Information Commissioner has waded into the argument.
Phil Lee reports.
Branded content
talkSPORT talks itself into trouble with Ofcom
When the eponymous Jon made a reference in the Jon Gaunt phone-in chat show to a free trial of remote access software, was
this an ad or was it editorial? Ofcom was not impressed but did the broadcaster have an alibi? Stephen Groom dials in to the
verdict.
Brands
Google's new AdWords policy increases costs to brand owners
Google's recent AdWords policy change relaxes the rules for parties looking to use a trade marked term to trigger advertisements.
What will be the impact of this on brand owners and how does Google's change of tack fit with UK trade mark law? Read on for
Jessica Stretch's unsponsored search result.
Children
Byron Review targets children and ads
If the poetically-monickered child psychologist's predictions come true, spring 2009 looks like being crunch time for the
UK's online and computer games advertisers. Why and just what did the Review of Children and Technology say about advertising?
Stephen Groom reports.
Consumer protection
CPUT nixes slew of consumer laws
New unfair trading regulations aim to harmonise the existing law by repealing “old” unfair trading legislation. James Baker
bids farewell to the laws that will meet their maker on 26th May 2008 and asks if we will rue the passing of the Fraudulent
Mediums Act 1951.
Direct marketing
Did Friends Provident mailing breach CAP Code?
"X-ray film. Please do not bend" screamed an envelope containing nothing of the kind but a financial services mailing instead.
Did this breach the CAP Code? Surely a fine upstanding life insurer like FP would not be so improvident? David Pawan opens
the envelope
Privacy
Conference delegate lists: data protection law protected?
The Information Commissioner's Office decreed that a list of delegates attending a conference was "personal data" and therefore
protected by the Data Protection Act. But the case went to appeal. What did the Information Tribunal have to say? Phil Lee
investigates.
Promotion marketing
When winning is not enough
How can a contestant who has won a promotional prize still have the heart to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority?
When the prize is not all it's cracked up to be, that's how. Stephen Groom reports on the winner scorned and the regulator's
response.
Regulatory
Ryanair flies from the ASA to the OFT
War has broken out again between Ryanair and the ASA with a referral and a counter-referral to the OFT! Will Ryanair be brought
to court by the OFT or was the ASA biased against the low cost airline? After more than 50 flights on Ryanair, Omar Bucchioni
is well placed to report.
Telecoms
Ofcom gets tough with mobile service marketers
Unhappy with industry attempts at self regulation, the communications regulator has started a process which could lead to
fines of 10% of turnover for mobile service sellers who breach a new "General Condition" imposed under the Communications
Act 2003. Anna Montes reports.
Telemarketing
New fundraising challenges under the Charities Act 2006
From 1 April 2008, the Charities Act 2006 has changed the disclosures that third party agencies must make when soliciting
donations on behalf of a charity. How should this be communicated to potential donors in a telephone conversation? Nick
Johnson investigates.
Employment - Working conditions
Internet abuse at work
The popularity of Facebook and other social networking websites (such as MySpace and Bebo) exposes employers to a number of
risks including potential damage to reputation, reduced productivity and vicarious liability claims. Jenny Wotherspoon examines
how employers can address these concerns.
Brands
Suez and the “Essentials of Life”
” Do you want to register a phrase as a CTM? Be careful that this is not just too descriptive, even if you are a French company
and the phrase is in English. Stephen Groom tells us what happened to French energy giant Suez, trying to register "Delivering
the essentials of life".
Intellectual property
Movie merchandise mayhem
In a coincidence they should make a movie about, two strikingly similar cases were reported in the space of a few days in
which the ownership of movie related designs were in dispute. Ray Coyle dons Stormtrooper helmet and Cyclops sunglasses and
reports from California and the Strand.
