Legal

Visa and Mastercard announced a revised settlement with merchants who accused the card networks of charging too much to accept their credit cards, after a judge rejected an earlier $30 billion accord as inadequate. Monday’s settlement would end 20 years of litigation in which businesses accused Visa, Mastercard and banks of conspiring to violate U.S.…

Amazon.com has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity that demands the artificial intelligence startup prevents its Comet browser from making purchases on Amazon. In a blog post responding to Amazon's letter, Perplexity claims Amazon is "bullying" the company and that its demands pose "a threat to all internet users." Amazon alleges the Comet agent violates its terms…

Amazon.com will pay $2.5 billion to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allegations that the company duped users into paying for Prime memberships, the regulatory agency announced last week. The surprise settlement comes as Amazon and the FTC were just three days into the trial in a Seattle federal court. Opening arguments in the case occurred Tuesday,…

Claire's, a mall boutique chain favored by tweens, teens and young women, is set to close more than 290 stores as part of its bankruptcy process, reports USA Today. Stores to be closed include 235 Claire's locations in the U.S. and 56 Icing stores. The filing also listed 830 stores — 785 Claire's locations and…

Today's retail operations rely on more than just products or e-commerce design. Behind the scenes, fulfillment providers depend on regional couriers, cloud-hosted payment processors, and outsourced customer service teams. These multitiered networks help retailers meet expectations for speed and convenience but also introduce potential failures that can disrupt service, delay deliveries, or compromise data. When…

Claire's, once a staple for mall-going tweens and teens, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in seven years on Wednesday, multiple news outlets reported. The company faces about $500 million in debt. CEO Chris Cramer called the decision difficult but necessary in a statement. "Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away…

Many businesses are turning to Schedule A cases to try to stop online counterfeiters, who can be difficult to identify on third-party online marketplaces. Schedule A refers to an IP case where a plaintiff typically sues numerous defendants, allegedly selling counterfeit products or infringing trademarks, under seal with an attached document titled “Schedule A” that…

Founded in 1992, Skechers has grown to become the third-largest footwear company in the world, with around 5,300 stores nationwide and a diverse lineup of shoe categories. Skechers launched its Hands Free Slip-ins shoe line in 2023, quickly becoming its most popular product line and a key driver of its recent growth. However, its best-selling…

lululemon has filed a lawsuit against Costco that accuses the wholesale club operator of selling lower-priced duplicates of some of its popular athleisure clothing, reports CNBC. lululemon athletica claims in its lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that Costco has “unlawfully traded” on its reputation, goodwill and sweat…

Most retail leaders don't expect their customer service scripts to carry legal consequences. After all, they're meant to be helpful, friendly and on-brand. However, beneath that friendly tone there may be risks hiding in plain sight — risks that could cost your company more than just a bad review. From minor misstatements to problematic phrasing,…