Legal Considerations When Involved in Social Media Marketing
Contests on social media are often in a gray area. Most social sites dictate how contests can be run on their pages, but they do not often enforce these rules strictly. Instead, you should look at state laws. Holding a ticket purchasing raffle for an opportunity at a prize, for example, could get you in trouble without state authorization. Even holding a sweepstakes can get you in hot water if you don’t make the rules clear. Take the time to learn area laws.
Deceitful Online Advertising
Just because social media is a newer world does not imply the old rules have evaporated. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations apply online to the same extent that they do for television and radio ads. Make sure each promotion or advertising campaign you run is easily explained. An FTC complaint can seriously affect your ability to do business.
Copyright and Trademark Troubles
You likely are aware that you can’t use trademarked or copyrighted material in running your online business. Regrettably, some companies fail to realize that this includes social media as well. Just because you find an ideal image to use on your blog doesn’t signify you are allowed to use it.
The fact is, some photographers and artists use reverse search engines just to see if others have used their work without authorization. If they find your internet site using it, they could opt to sue you. Stick to public domain sites when finding images to supplement your own content.
Social Media Contests
Social media contests can be a sticky area. Facebook and other sites have rules governing the contests, but they really don’t often make a big deal when companies conduct one. You should be more concerned with state laws. If you hold a raffle where people buy tickets, for instance, you may need to have it authorized by the state. You can even get in trouble with a state’s attorney general if you aren’t clear about sweepstakes rules. Ensure you know the laws in your locality.
Social media is an exciting spot, but it holds many of the same potential risks as the offline world. Make sure you avert any potential legal liability by following the aforementioned suggestions and knowing the laws where you live.
