Dot Com Disclosures

Book excerpt: Report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the information that businesses should consider as they develop online advertisements to ensure that they comply with the law. The same consumer protection laws that apply to commercial activities in other media apply online. The FTC Act's prohibition on unfair or deceptive acts or practicesÓ encompasses Internet advertisements, marketing & sales. It discusses: (1) the requirement for clear & conspicuous disclosures to prevent an advertisement from being misleading, to ensure that consumers receive material information about the terms of a transaction; (2) ways that advertisers can make such disclosures; & (3) FTC rules & guides that are adaptable to new technologies.