INTERNET ADVERTISING LAW

An innovative law firm that tackles legal aspects of technology and internet businesses to optimize their commercial potential and profitability, while managing a highly demanding legal environment.

Contact Neufeld Legal PC at 403-400-4092 or Chris@NeufeldLegal.com

Advertising through the Internet has become increasingly prevalent, as have the occurrences of fraud and deception through online advertising. As such, your business needs to be wary of the legal and statutory prohibitions imposed to protect the public through the enforcement of consumer protection laws in cyberspace.

Consumer protection laws applicable to commercial activities in other media also apply to online advertising, marketing and sales. The core legal principles pertaining to truth in advertising apply, including (i) the advertisement must be truthful and not misleading; (ii) the advertiser must have evidence to back up its claims; (iii) the advertisement cannot be unfair; and (iv) the advertisement does not subliminally deceive the public without their conscious perception.

Disclosures should not be misleading, to ensure that consumers receive material information about the terms of a transaction, which are clear and conspicuous. Internet advertising disclosures should consider: the placement of the disclosure in the advertisement and its proximity to the relevant claim; the prominence and placement of the disclosure; whether the internet-user’s attention is distracted by other elements on the web page; whether the language of the disclosure is understandable to the intended audience; among others. Particular attention needs to be made to health and safety claims, as with the presentation of data or statistics that consumers may have difficulty verifying.

As the Internet evolves, so to will the rules and regulations governing online advertising. And to create an added level of complexity, advertisers are not only responsible for the changing laws of their home country, but also other prominent countries where their marketing may draw consumers. We understand online advertising and can assist your Internet business in advancing its financial ambitions while remaining legally compliant.

We understand how computer algoritms and technological processes intersect with the law and commercial aspects of the Internet, and working with corporate business officers, tech entrepreneurs and IT departments as they strive to realize upon the financial potential of the Net. For more information as to how our law firm can apply our knowledge of the law, technology and the Internet to your business pursuits, contact us via email at Chris@NeufeldLegal.com or 403-400-4092 / 905-616-8864.