Consumer protection
HM Govt in "more consumer law" shock
Just as the UK ad community was getting to grips with the major changes wrought by the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, the BERR has announced, wait for it, "A consultation on reforming the current UK consumer law regime." Surely not. James Baker reports with disbelief.

TV
Ofcom consultation on participation TV and impact on advertising
Broadcasters faking competition winners; mismanagement of premium rate services….. But what are the regulators doing to protect us viewers? Tune in to Carla Basso's report on Ofcom's proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Code on the use of premium rate services.

Employment - Dismissal procedures
How to have an off the record conversation
Failing to ensure that all of the legal requirements for "without prejudice" conversations with staff are met can create a risk that the discussions will not be considered genuinely "without prejudice". Naomi Flynn tells us how to speak "off the record" and provides useful tips.

Brands
Orion and the activation of negative keywords in internet advertising
Not content with preventing a company from using a Bank's trade mark ("Orion") in its advertising, a US Court has ordered a defendant to require the activation of the term "ORION" as a negative keyword. Ray Coyle cuts the e-babble and explains the significance.

Health and beauty
French “no incitement of thin-ness” statute
A proposed new French law against incitement to anorexia could ban the use in advertising of images of thin people, especially if they are young. Claire Bouchenard from Paris tells us more.

Comparative
Comparatively the best beer in the world
Controversy over which beer brand sells the most in the UK has highlighted the importance of clarity in superlative claims and the new source of comparative advertising law just arrived by way of the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008. James Baker tells the best story.

Consumer protection
CPR "Quick take"
A recent "Espresso Briefing" held by leading UK word of mouth marketing industry body WOM UK focused on the impact on the industry of the new Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. marketinglaw editor Stephen Groom gave delegates a "Quick Take" on the "CPR" basics. His slides are attached.

Environment
Electric scooter claims challenged
With no engine and no exhaust, Vectrix thought they were on safe ground going the whole green hog in their "Electric Maxi Scooter" brochure. But what did the ASA think about the "zero emissions", "zero carbon impact" and "environmentally friendly " claims? Omar Bucchioni reports.

Labelling and packaging
New recycling logo fuels pack clutter woe
The British Retail Consortium has pledged its commitment to recycling logos for packaging, while Tesco adopts a new "Carbon Trust" pack logo and Highland Spring moots putting sustainability data on its packs. Hmmm. James Baker contemplates a pack logo blizzard.

Misleading advertising
Phantom "sold" signs deception comes back to haunt Ipswich estate agent
An estate agent's novel way of coping with the property slowdown cost him rather more than he expected. David Pawan considers the impact that the newly in force CPUT regulations would have had on the penalty received by the estate agent.

Privacy
DPA enforcement powers sneaking in through the back door?
UK advertising and marketing laws have just undergone the biggest shake-up ever with the arrival of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. But could these extend even further and increase risks for those abusing data protection laws? Phil Lee reports.

Privacy
Show me the money: ICO gets greater enforcement powers
ICO has long been pushing for the power to lock up non-compliant data controllers. This seemed about to happen under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, but when the Bill finally became law, was this the end result? Phil Lee investigates.

TV
ASA ad sound levels/new BCAP Code coming in July
After many months of deliberation, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has finally announced that the code concerning the sound level of TV advertisements is to change. James Baker looks at this and other quick decisions of BCAP.