Misleading Advertisements In India

Deceptive and false advertising is not only unethical; they distort competition and, of course, consumer choice. An advertisement becomes misleading or false when suppose an advertisement of a water purifier that filters only bacteria (and not viruses) claims that it gives 100 percent safe water, then it is a false statement or if an advertisement for a face cream claims that it removes dark spots on the face and even prevents them from coming back, the manufacturer should be able to prove this. Or else, it is a deceptive advertisement.

Section 2(1) (r) of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 defines the term 'unfair trade practices.- Unfair trade practice means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice including any of the false and deceptive practice. Other such protection acts are Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act