Are you a victim? Have you ever been sitting in front of the television or computer, or reading a magazine, and see that one life-altering product scientifically proven to make you healthy, athletic, sexy, or rich and powerful? At the moment you must obtain this transformative product, and once it is in your midst, you realized you were deceived because the product doesn’t provide the results as guaranteed. If you are reminiscing about such a time, then you or a loved one may have been a victim of false advertising. In advertising, there’s a big difference between pushing the truth and making false claims, and for businesses that cross the line it can cost millions.
Recently Tommie Copper, Inc., and its founder agreed to pay $1.35 million to settle the Federal Trade Commission charges; which claim that Tommie Copper’s advertisement of the company’s copper-infused compression clothing was deceptively misleading. Tommie Copper, Inc.’s, brochures, social media, and print media for the product claimed that the product would relieve severe and chronic pain and inflammation caused by arthritis and other diseases. Celebrity and consumer testimonials claimed that, “Tommie Copper garments alleviated pain caused by multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia and could provide pain relief comparable to, or better than drugs or surgery.”
Regrettably, Tommie Copper, Inc. was unable to substantiate or provide any scientific data or expert testimony to corroborate said benefits of its copper-infused compression garments as specified in Tommie Copper, Inc.’s, brochures, social media, print media, and testimonials. Now Tommie Copper, Inc. and its founder understand the cost of deception in any advertisement when such product claims are unverifiable. So, business owners, beware when drafting advertisements for your products, and remember deceit is a treacherous and costly path.
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