WASHINGTON (CN) – L’Oreal can settle false advertising claims over supposedly salon-only products that are sold in stores by changing its labels, a federal judge ruled.
Alexis Richardson had led a class against the cosmetics company on behalf of consumers who purchased L’Oreal’s Matrix Biolage, Redken, Kerastase and Pureology products after August 30, 2008.
The April 2013 complaint alleged that L’Oreal deceptively labeled the products as “available only in salons” while nevertheless stocking them in Target, Kmart and other non-salon retail establishments.
“Plaintiffs allege that the salon-only label implies a superior quality product and builds a cachet that allows L’Oréal to demand a premium price,” according to the settlement-approval ruling filed Thursday.
The plaintiffs had filed the suit in Washington, D.C., after resolving related claims from an earlier action in the Northern District of California.
“In the course of those negotiations, L’Oréal provided plaintiffs with extensive documents and information relating to its anti-diversion and labeling practices,” U.S. District Judge John Bates wrote.
“But plaintiffs allege that, despite L’Orèal’s efforts, the products are available in non-salon establishments, and argue that L’Orèal’s labeling and advertising for these products is hence deceptive and misleading.”
As part of the settlement, class representatives can petition for no more than $1,000 each, and L’Oréal will pay up to $950,000 in attorney fees, costs and expenses. The settlement otherwise provides only injunctive relief.
In his approval order, Bates explained the class’s reasons for not trying to certify a damages class.
“First, assessing the value of the salon-only claims to consumers would be difficult, and L’Oréal has never attempted to do so,” the ruling states. “Second, assessing damages on a class-wide basis would be even more difficult – the information provided during the negotiation process revealed substantial price variations among retailers and in different regions, and indicated that non-salon retailers often sell the products at a lower price than do salon retailers, making damages to those purchasing the product in non-salon establishments difficult to analyze.”
Bates said he would defer to counsel’s assessment.
“And class members will retain their right to seek damages in individual actions, dispelling many concerns about foregone payments,” he added. “In these circumstances, an equitable-relief-only settlement may be approved.”
If the settlement wins final approval, L’Oreal will remove the “salon only” label from all of its U.S. advertising and labeling on products distributed in the states.
It will also discontinue manufacturing the labels for its U.S. products, and it will remove the “salon-only” claims from its websites and from any promotion materials.
Both parties have agreed to publish legal notices in USA Today for one week, referring class members to a website that contains a copy of the proposed agreement. Any objections to the settlement must be filed before the Fairness Hearing on October 11, 2013, when the final settlement will be approved. It seems L’Oreal will get off easy for all the damages they have done to the so-called professional beauty industry. Their anti- diversion rhetoric is a bunch of bullshit. And always has been. Too late, Too little the damage has already been done!
Tag: entrepreneurs
Living Your Dreams Everyone!!
My award from Mopix and Discmakers for the film The Real Hair Truth .
Over 10,000 sold!
I cannot believe it has been over 3 years since the release of this film and it keeps on selling. Not much has really changed in this industry, and basically I don’t think anything will. You still have the manufacturers saying and playing there same ol, snake oil presentations. The vast majority of the industry is clueless to the facts of mislabeled products, ingredients, deception. And the old guard in this industry you will have to watch out for. They will say or do anything to get a job. So many of them rely on the name of a dead man to achieve their notoriety. And the websites are still the same. But the only thing that is different is the abundance of the amount of entrepreneurs within the industry. They are the true model of the professional industry! You can go ahead and play a role in the pyramid scheme in the industry, from the distributor on up to the CEO of a major manufacturer. Or take the road less traveled and blossom your talents and be everything you were meant to be. Giving your devotion to a manufacturer and buying into the hype of a false gimmick to sell, sell, sell. is a waste of your time and also of your talents. All you are doing is basically living someone else’s dream. But where do yours come in?
In my next film “The Beautiful Lies”, we give you some really devoted, talented entrepreneurs within the industry. These are professional who wanted to blossom into everything they can be. And follow the road less traveled. Following this path you will see so many new and exciting places, rewards, and you will also learn allot about yourself. Following some one else’s dreams and buying into their falsehoods to gain financial independence is pretty empty. The only out come is the top of the pyramid is gaining all, while you give all and receive nothing but false rhetoric. Verbs and nouns cannot pay your bills, by stating to you, ” we are behind you all, thank you for out continued success, we are family”, Really I think not! No, you need to take the time and look over these falsehoods, dreams being sold to you, etc. And become what you want in your profession. Write that book, Make the film, Make a product, etc. There is so much time in your life and you are given so many talents, why waste it on being a fan of another’s dream or dreams. This has been going on in our industry for many, many years. And from the production of my next film. I see more and more individuals seeking their own slice of the pie within the industry.
And that is the way it should be my friends!
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Beautiful Lies is a Film/Documentary about the Cosmetic/Beauty industry featuring the upside and downsides of entrepreneurs in a industry dominate by major manufacturers. This film also covers labeling, marketing, branding of universal hair care, hair color and treatments that are sold to the consumer. We are showing the viewer the few great entrepreneurs of the beauty/cosmetic industry who still value there craft and the peaks and valleys they go through!
Please come and show your support for the film on our Facebook page!
Keratin Complex Deceptive Labeling, But promoted by the Industry!
“Drinking the Kool-Aid” refers to the 1978 Jonestown Massacre; the phrase suggests that one has mindlessly adopted the dogma of a group or leader without fully understanding the ramifications or implications. So in my industry we have a lot of sheep who cannot think for themselves. And we also have a lot of sheep who cannot seem to go beyond the actions of a written article to produce a original concept of warning the beauty industry of the ramification’s of believing in such “Hog wash”.
You will find a lot of watch-dog organizations in my beauty industry and also outside who will “Latch on”, to any cause to better themselves and by adding a visual example of looking out for your concerns. Pretty Toxic got in touch with me a few weeks ago and asked for information about some industry products that have had violations with OSHA and also the FDA. I provided the information they request and also asked if they would like to have a gathering were we could provide a think tank. To no avail and not even answering my emails, I was swept away. BOO HOOO. Keratin Complex is a company who has been cited by the OSHA for not being honest about there advertising or ingredient’s. If you look at the labeling at the top of the article you will see they have printed that there product is “OSHA Compliant”. Keratin Complex leads consumers to believe their product is safe and harmless, but this “Kool-Aid” has been sugar coated and the truth isn’t so sweet! Turns out the “benign” aldehyde they use, Timonacic acid, releases formaldehyde when heated and this product is making people sick. Keratin Complex, the global market leader in professional keratin smoothing treatments, is pleased to announce they are the first company and brand in this burgeoning category to receive formal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliancy. OSHA does not authorize the use of there Logo and does not authorize any and all company’s to address themselves as being “APPROVED BY OSHA”. I put this right up with our “Little Man John and his deceptive practices!
This is a big “NO-NO’. Rick Gerstein, Chief Operating Officer, Keratin Complex says, “This compliancy underscores the level of product safety, safe practices and procedures that Keratin Complex has implemented and adheres to. It also reinforces our dedication to providing the finest, innovative and safe products to the professional salon community. We are delighted that OSHA has recognized our company and brand as compliant to their regulations and standards – a category first. As market leader, it has been, and continues to be, our utmost goal to support and partner with professional salons, spas and stylists and provide the finest quality products, services and education”. OSHA does not do any endorsements for any “Compliance Logo’s”, at all and as of this point OSHA as Keratin Complex under investigation for deceptive labeling. You will also find out this on the beauty industry “Flea Market Catalog, BTC”.
And of course the company went ahead and did the endorsement to OSHA, so they could save there “ASS”, and make the Bee sting a little less painful when they get cited for violations. ” The Occupational Safety and Health Act allows OSHA to issue workplace health and safety regulations. OSHA Safety Standards contain requirements for compliancy (i.e., testing and certification) of certain products by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Keratin Complex fully supports OSHA’s initiatives and standards in the professional beauty industry as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to innovative and safe professional products, services and education for salons and stylists worldwide”. Don’t believe this HORSE SHIT.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/images/shtp_banner_2011.png
Best Regards
Joseph Kellner.
Trailer for the film Beautiful LieS
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