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5. State Regulation of Advertising Often called Printers Ink statutes
Supremacy Clause limitations
Louisiana R.S. 51:411 (Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection law) forbids fraudulent or misleading advertising.
6. Federal Trade Commission Created in 1914
Initially authorized to field complaints among advertisers
Now protects consumers
Regulation of advertising only one of its powers
7. FTC powers Consent order
FTC seeks compliance first, but without court order.
ALJ issues consent decree next.
Then case will go to FTCommissioners; DC Circuit Court, U.S. Supreme Court
FTC can go directly to federal court for injunction if advertising violation is egregious.
Affirmative Disclosures & Corrective Advertising are among remedies.
Industry Guides & Trade Regulation Rules
10. Valentine v. Chrestensen (1942) Case briefing/Socratic Dialogue with SADIE GOULAS
11. Valentine v. Chrestensen (1942) City sanitation ordinance against commercial leafleting
F.J. Chrestensen advertised U-boat tours
Printed flyers twice -- second time to include political message.
Commercial invitation and price on the front
His political protest printed on the back
Supreme Court rejected the ploy, and held the handbill was primarily advertising lacking First Amendment protection.
12. New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) Not PURELY commercial speech
Conveyed political information
Expressed viewpoints
Alleged civil rights violations
Solicited funds for the cause
13. Pittsburgh Press v. Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission (1973) Help Wanted Ads (male and female)
14. Bigelow v. Virginia (1975) NY Abortion clinic
VA newspaper
Not viewed as PURE commercial speech
15. VA State Board of Pharmacy v VA Citizens Consumer Council (1976) Prescription drug prices banned;
Pure commercial speech deserves protection;
Right of consumers to receive information affirmed;
Valentine landmark overturned.
16. Central Hudson Gas and Electric v. PSC of NY (1980) How far can the law limit commercial speech?
Apply the four-part Central Hudson test to see
Is advertisement deceptive or product illegal?
Does the state have a valid interest in regulating it?
Does the law properly advance that interest?
Does it do so by narrow tailoring?
17. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. v. Pittsburgh Press (1979) SITUATION Wanted ads
Distinguished from HELP wanted
18. Posadas v. Tourism Company (1986) Banned casino ads aimed at residents
Dangerous products, harmful services (smoking, drinking and prostitution?)
Meaning of Less Restrictive shifts
19. Greater New Orleans Broadcasting Assoc. v. U.S. (1998) Banned casino ads in Louisiana and Mississippi
Federal ban unconstitutional as applied to Louisiana-based broadcasters
Powerful sensory appeal of television and radio overturned as rationale.
20. Rubin v. Coors Brewing Co. (1995) If casinos are dangerous, why isnt alcohol?
State tried to prevent strength wars
Struck down bans on listing alcohol content on beer labels.
21. 44 Liquormart v. RI (1996) Struck down ban on advertising liquor prices.
Cant ban truthful ads about legal products.
22. Kasky v. Nike, Inc. (2002) Nike responds to investigative reports on alleged overseas sweatshops with public statements.
Marc Kasky sues under false-advertising law of California.
Supreme Court notes blending of commercial and noncommercial speech with issues of public importance, but sends it back to California without opinion. Kasky and Nike settle out.
23. Three Steps in Finding Deception Look at the text of the ad;
Consider its meaning to reasonable consumers;
Consider whether any untruths are material.
24. Looking at the text: And I can prove it! Factual claims must be supported.
If claims seem scientific, then there should be data for support.
Demonstrations can be deceptive though
Rapid Shave shaves sandpaper.
Listerine fights colds.
Wonder Bread builds bodies 12 ways.
25. Looking at the text: More than I can say Implying erroneous conclusions
Passed all inspections vs. without defects
Geritol, lethargy, and iron poor blood
Halo effect
Anacin and more (aspirin)
UPS and delivery times
True but irrelevant (Carnation Instant Breakfast)
26. Looking at the text:Who said that? Basic rule is to tell the truth.
Celebrity endorsers must be users, but
Is their experience typical?
Experts must really have specific expertise.
Organizational endorsements must be genuine
Fudging in movie testimonials?
Not every endorsement triggers the rules
Clearly fictional narratives
Celebrities born of the ad campaign
27. The Reasonable Consumer Seen as more sophisticated than in past.
Some audiences seen as more gullible, ie.
Children
People in crisis
Survey research may be used as indication.
U.S. action on Product Placements: Sec. 5 FTC Act requires disclosure of sponsorship. In 2005, FTC refused to enforce disclosure because products performance not discussed in program.
28. Material deceptions Material = affecting purchase decision
Most textual claims are material
Puffery an exception
Visual claims more troublesome
Mashed potatoes for ice cream?