What recourse do I have against a competitor using my name to advertise his business?
Full Question:
I own a bail bond company. My competition is trying to advertise using my name using his number to mislead consumers in thinking that they are doing business with me, as I am the only one doing Bonds in this area and have been for 18 years. He is trying to use my reputable name to secure bonds. What legal actions do you suggest?
01/31/2007 |
Category: Criminal |
State: Missouri |
#1313
Answer:
False and misleading advertising or marketing can be actionable, but the regulations and laws dealing with the subject are very complicated. What is false or misleading will depend on the facts of each case.
Under the Federal Trade Commission Act:
1. advertising must be truthful and non-deceptive;
2. advertisers must have evidence to back up their claims; and
3. advertisements cannot be unfair.
For more information, please see this site: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/ad-faqs.htm