Publicidad engañosa en el estado de Washington

Explicación Simple

La ley dice que no puedes mentir en anuncios. Si alguien dice que un producto es mejor de lo que realmente es, puede meterse en problemas. Es importante ser honesto cuando vendes algo.

Es como cuando un amigo te promete que una película es increíble, pero al verla resulta ser muy aburrida. Te sientes engañado porque esperabas algo diferente.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan tiene una tienda de vitaminas y pone un anuncio que dice que su producto puede curar todas las enfermedades. Si alguien compra esas vitaminas creyendo que son milagrosas y no lo son, Juan podría enfrentar problemas legales por publicidad engañosa.

Penalidades

Si se encuentra culpable, la persona podría enfrentar un delito menor.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 9.04.010 - False advertising Any person, firm, corporation or association who, with intent to sell or in any wise dispose of merchandise, securities, service, or anything offered by such person, firm, corporation or association, directly or indirectly, to the public for sale or distribution, or with intent to increase the consumption thereof, or to induce the public in any manner to enter into any obligation relating thereto, or to acquire title thereto, or an interest therein, makes, publishes, disseminates, circulates, or places before the public, or causes, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public in this state, in a newspaper or other publication, or in the form of a book, notice, hand-bill, poster, bill, circular, pamphlet, or letter, or in any other way, an advertisement of any sort regarding merchandise, securities, service, or anything so offered to the public, which advertisement contains any assertion, representation or statement of fact which is untrue, deceptive or misleading, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor: PROVIDED, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to any owner, publisher, agent, or employee of a newspaper for the publication of such advertisement published in good faith and without knowledge of the falsity thereof. RCW 9.04.040 - Advertising cures of lost sexual potency -- Evidence Any advertisement in any newspaper, periodical, pamphlet, circular or other written or printed paper, containing the words, "lost manhood", "lost vitality", "lost vigor", "monthly regulators for women", or words synonymous therewith, shall be prima facie evidence of intent to violate *RCW 9.04.030 and 9.04.040 by the person or persons so advertising, or causing to be advertised, or publish