Class Action filed against Facebook in British Columbia alleging the website did not seek consent of members in using their names and images in 'Sponsored Stories'

VANCOUVER, March 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Branch McMaster LLP has filed a Class Action in The Supreme Court British Columbia on behalf of British Columbia residents who are Members of Facebook and whose name, portrait, or both have been used by Facebook in a 'Sponsored Story'.

The lawsuit was initiated by a Plaintiff who alleges that her name and portrait were used in connection with a "Sponsored Story" as an implied endorsement of a third party advertiser's product or service without her consent.

The lawsuit alleges that since January 25, 2011, Facebook ("the defendant") displays Facebook members' names or portraits in Sponsored Stories advertising or promoting goods or services without consent of the Facebook members, and does not compensate them for the use of their names or portraits in Sponsored Stories advertising or promoting any goods or services.

Unlike traditional advertising including that previously used by Facebook, a Sponsored Story uses a Member's name or portrait to endorse goods or service of a third-party advertiser (a "Sponsor") to that Member's Friends, as follows:

a.     When a Member engages in certain activities within the Website, such as clicking the Like Button in connection with a Sponsor or its goods or services or Page, Checking In to a physical location linked to Sponsor, or using an application or App connected with a Sponsor, Facebook may generate a Sponsored Story;

b.     The resulting Sponsored Story displays the Member's portrait or name beside and in connection with the Sponsor's advertisement or logo, and contains a purported endorsement by the Member in relation to the Sponsor or its goods or services; and

c.     Each Sponsored Story featuring a Member's portrait or name and purported endorsement of an advertised good or service is published to some or all of that Member's Friends on Facebook.

Through Sponsored Stories, Facebook transforms the character of a Member's actions in clicking the Like Button, Checking In to a location or using an App into an endorsement of goods or services by the Member which is then published by Facebook to the Member's Friends. In so doing, Facebook authors and creates a unique and new advertisement through the rearrangement of text and images which then features the Member as an endorser, marketer or advertiser of a third party good or service to his or her "Friends".

In marketing Sponsored Stories to third party advertisers, Facebook states that recommendations of friends have a powerful influence on consumer interest and purchase decisions. The lawsuit alleges that Facebook receives significant revenue from its Sponsored Stories advertising.

The lawsuit also alleges that Facebook does not give notice to Members that their names or portraits are being used in connection with a Sponsored Story or that Facebook is depicting that Member as endorsing a particular good or service. In other words, other Members may view advertisements, including Sponsored Stories, purportedly endorsed by a Member who is unaware that his or her name or portrait is being used in connection with that advertisement. In addition, it is alleged that Facebook does not allow Members to either limit or altogether block the appearance of their names or portraits in connection with a Sponsored Story.

Similar claims are also being filed in Saskatchewan and in Manitoba.
Facebook members in British Columbia, Saskatchewan or Manitoba who wish to participate in the proposed class actions can obtain more information at www.branmac.com

Or contact:

Luciana P. Brasil
Branch McMaster LLP
604.654.2960
[email protected]

For media information only, please contact:
Naomi Strasser
Aerial Communications Group Inc.
416.787.6577
[email protected]