You’ve probably seen plenty of commercials where companies take direct aim at their competition, perhaps even mentioning them by name. Even when it’s not by name, they often allude to it strongly enough that it leaves no doubt in your mind what they’re talking about.
Have you ever wondered if these commercials go too far? What are they actually allowed to say about another brand? If those questions have crossed your mind, you will be very interested to know that Clorox has decided to sue Lysol over a series of recent advertisements, alleging that they are false and misleading.
The ads, which are used on TV, on the Internet and on social media, compare the two popular cleaners. They say that Lysol has advantages over Clorox, which Clorox now claims they do not have.
“Consumers deserve truthful information and advertising that can help them make the product choices that are best for their households,” read one statement. “We’re not opposed to competitive advertising, but we are opposed to advertising designed to mislead. Not only do RB’s ads falsely claim that Lysol products are superior, they disparage the well-established effectiveness and value of Clorox products.”
The problem, then, is twofold. The claims can undermine the reputation that Clorox has worked for over the years, and they can directly mislead people who are trying to decide what product to buy, according to Clorox.
Many people are influenced by commercials, and most people do not fact check their claims. Those who think that they have been exposed to fraudulent advertising need to know all of their legal options.
