Q: Competition falsely claims “voted #1”
I own an ebike rental company in lake tahoe. My competition claims “voted #1 ebike rentals in lake tahoe”. There has never been any type of vote. We have more reviews than them and a higher rating across all platforms. To me it is clear false advertising but i am curious if an attorney agrees with me before I approach them about it.
Thanks!
A: I'm not a marketing and false advertising attorney by any means, but my first impression would be that it is pure puffery and a legal statement. There may have been a vote and you just have no idea about it. For example, maybe they asked 5 local businesses who the best e-bike company is in Tahoe, and they all said your competitor. If that were the case, then the statement would be true to some extent. An example of false advertising may an attorney saying that they provide free consultantion, but then charge for the consultation.
A:
False advertising occurs when a business makes false or misleading claims about its products or services in order to deceive consumers. If your competition is falsely claiming to be "voted #1 ebike rentals in Lake Tahoe" when there has never been any vote, it could potentially be considered false advertising.
To determine the best course of action, it would be advisable to consult with an attorney who specializes in advertising law or business law. They can review the specific circumstances of your case, including the relevant laws and regulations in your jurisdiction, and provide you with legal advice tailored to your situation.
A: "Voted Number #1" would likely be found comparable to "World Greatest Dad." Anyone can have a vote. This shop could have asked its customers. In some cases, business will name some organization to give the claim some type of credibility. These organizations are created by businesses in an industry for the sole purpose of self promotion. Think real estate agents. Law firms have Superlawyers.
A: It appears to be loosely worded. It would be a different case if the representations were more specific and verifiable, or they were intended to make other local businesses appear inferior. Good luck
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