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As of August 27, Facebook has changed some of its rules for businesses running promotions on the social media platform. Designed to make it easier to administer promotions on Facebook, the new rules remove several logistical requirements that previously deterred small businesses from using Facebook for their promotions. See announcement here.
Key changes include:
However, sponsors can't encourage users to inaccurately tag content (e.g., tag themselves in content they are not actually depicted in).
Also, other existing rules still apply, such as the requirement that entrants release Facebook from liability and that sponsors make clear that they (and not Facebook) are administering the promotion and collecting any content/information from users. See the Facebook Pages Terms, Advertising Guidelines and other pages linked therein for more information.
What this means for you:
Brand owners and businesses of all sizes now have another option for running contests and sweepstakes on Facebook. Many marketers have applauded the changes, including the ability to run a promotion without hiring a third-party app developer. Others note possible difficulties in administering promotions on a page, rather than through an app that offers more control over random drawings and enables sponsors to collect entrants' e-mail addresses.
Several legal issues arise from these changes. Sponsors need to ensure that random drawings are truly "random" to avoid misrepresenting their promotions. Sponsors remain responsible for the lawful operation of their promotions, including disclosure of the material terms and conditions, and should consider how to make these disclosures (including the mandatory release of Facebook) on their pages, along with setting forth the official rules that govern the promotion, in a clear and effective manner. And although "Like gating" is commonly used, it remains to be seen whether any jurisdictions will find that requiring people to engage with the business on Facebook (via liking, sharing, or commenting on a page post) rises to the level of consideration. If so, an alternative method of entry may be needed to avoid the combination of "prize, chance and consideration," the three indicia of an illegal lottery.
Day Pitney lawyers regularly advise clients on legal issues relating to branding, promotions and social media. Before launching your first Facebook contest or sweepstakes promotion, please feel free to contact us.
Day Pitney Intellectual Property Attorney Brandon McCool authored the article, "The Game Plan: Conducting Trademark Clearance for New Team Names," for Sports Business Journal.
On January 26, Day Pitney Attorney Chris Hoolehan will present on the Trademarks panel at the "22nd Annual Intellectual Property Year in Review," virtual conference presented by the Boston Bar Association.
Intellectual Property Partner Jonathan Tropp will speak at the "Attorney's Guide for Understanding Copyright Law and Software in 2021," webinar presented by Thompson Reuters, the Global Cyber Institute, and Lexeprint Publishing on January 24.
Partners Kevin J. Duffy and Richard H. Brown authored the article, "Shouting FIRE! (or Worse) on Social Media: The Interplay of the First Amendment and Government Involvement in Efforts to Limit or Remove Social Media Content," which was published in the Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal.
Mark Romance authored the article, "UNITED STATES: Major League Soccer Denied on Third-Party Use" for INTA Bulletin, the online publication for the International Trademark Association.
On April 6, Day Pitney Intellectual Property Attorney Brandon McCool discussed with University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law's The Legal Impact podcast his recent article published in the Sports Business Journal, which details the unique trademark process sports teams must undergo when they are selecting and clearing names and logos for their franchises.
Day Pitney Press Release
Day Pitney's Intellectual Property attorneys assisted client LogMeIn, Inc., a recognized leader in remote-work technology, in their company rebrand and relaunch as GoTo.
Firm client Loni Sherwin, BlackRock’s Vice President and Legal Counsel, was featured in Profile Magazine.
Profile piece on firm client Mandy Petrillo, Senior Club Counsel for the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management, in Vanguard Law Magazine, praises Petrillo for her "find a way to yes" mentality and ability to "make the best of whatever circumstances she's afforded."
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