Florida Lawyer Debuts Blog about Nutritional Supplements and the Law

A new legal weblog devoted to litigation and regulation of dietary and nutritional supplements has launched.

Boca Raton, FL, Nov 7. /SOAPWIRE/ -- Intellectual property and technology attorney Joel B. Rothman of the law firm of Rutherford Mulhall, P.A. has launched a new informational legal weblog devoted to litigation and regulation of dietary and nutritional supplements. The Nutritional and Dietary Supplement Law Blog is at www.nutrisuplaw.com or www.dietsuplaw.com.

This new legal blog or "blawg" contains news and analysis on a wide variety of legal issues facing producers of vitamins, cosmetics, diet pills, herbal remedies, organic products and foods.

"The nutritional and dietary supplement industry is growing rapidly," says Rothman, "and the variety and complexity of legal issues facing makers of innovative wellness products are multiplying. This new weblog will help industry insiders, in-house counsel, and other interested individuals stay abreast of legal developments effecting the supplement market."

The nutritional supplement industry is highly regulated. Several federal agencies provide oversight including the FDA, FTC, and USDA. States are also beginning to regulate supplement labeling and sales. Manufacturers of supplements need to understand the advertising rules including laws restricting claims about safety and efficacy, ingredient labeling, and good manufacturing standards.

State attorneys general and federal authorities have shown a willingness to prosecute deceptive advertising claims for supplements. Consequently, lawyers for dietary supplement makers need up-to-date information on new regulations and litigation effecting the industry.

Intellectual property infringement issues abound in this area. The intensively competitive supplement market has led to numerous trademark and patent infringement lawsuits against both large and small supplement manufacturers and marketers. In addition, because the Internet is used as a marketing tool by most every supplement manufacturer, the uncharted legal territory of Internet law has led to disputes over illegal spamming, domain name hijacking, and other cyber law violations.

The anti-doping controversy in sports has raised allegations that over-the-counter supplements contain steroids or human growth hormone. The focus on steroids has led to criticisms of supplement manufacturers and increased attention on good manufacturing and labeling practices. At the same time, the historic feud between pharmaceutical manufacturers ("Big Pharma") and the supplement industry continues over supplement ingredients such as ephedra and non-ephedra stimulants used in diet pills.

Consumers want nutriceutical and cosmeceutical products with natural, wholesome ingredients that are safe and effective. Supplement producers want educated and satisfied consumers who recognize and appreciate the value of their products. The nutritional and dietary supplement law blog will educate and enlighten the industry on the legal challenges it faces for the greater good of consumers and manufacturers alike.

More more information, please visit the nutritional and dietary supplement law blog at www.nutrisuplaw.com or www.dietsuplaw.com.


About Joel B. Rothman. Joel is a technology attorney with the Florida law firm of Rutherford Mulhall, P.A. Joel's practice includes transactions, litigation and regulatory matters for businesses, including intellectual property matters such as trademark, copyright, patent and trade secrets, and a portion of Joel's practice is devoted to representing nutritional supplement manufacturers. Joel is a former New York City rackets prosecutor and is "BV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

About Rutherford Mulhall, P.A. Rutherford Mulhall, P.A. has been serving its clients since 1990. The firm specializes in providing high quality legal services with an emphasis on prompt service and individual attention. The firm is truly full-service and its attorneys and staff are professionals dedicated to meeting all of its clients' legal needs. The firm has earned the "AV" rating of Martindale-Hubbell. The firm's web site is http://www.rmlawyer.com.