ARCHIVE: From the PNA Legal Hotline

Advertising

• May 29, 2008
  Can a housing ad say “no pets”?
• May 22, 2008
  An advertiser wants to run an ad saying “Will pay up to $500 for valid deer hunting licenses.” Should we accept this type of ad?
• April 17, 2008
  An advertiser wants to place a memorial ad and include a poem taken from a Hallmark greeting card. Can we use the poem if we include the copyright symbol following the poem?
• April 10, 2008
  A local charity is holding an auction to benefit victims of a house fire. Does the charity need to use a licensed auctioneer and include the auctioneer’s name and license number in the ad?
• March 6, 2008
  A real estate agency wants to list the names of their agents in large text using all capital letters while listing the company name in smaller text using lower case letters. Can a real estate ad contain different size text or letter cases for the real estate agent and the employing real estate company?
• February 21, 2008
  An advertiser told us there is a state law that requires vehicle stock numbers to appear in all car ads. Is this correct?
• February 14, 2008
  An advertiser wants to run a help wanted ad that includes the language “strong pro-choice applicants only”. Can we say this?
• February 7, 2008
  Can we advertise the sale of used mattresses and other used bedding in our newspaper?
• January 31, 2008
  Does Pennsylvania have a law governing the advertising and sale of firewood? Does the law require firewood to be sold in cords or can it be sold by "racks" or "truck loads?"
• December 6, 2007
  From the Legal Hotline: Do bus companies have to include their license number in ads?
• November 15, 2007
  An advertiser wants to “must be fluent in English” in an employment ad. Is that acceptable?
• November 1, 2007
  A self storage business wants to sell property in its possession as a result of unpaid storage fees. Are there any special advertising rules that need to be followed?
• October 18, 2007
  With hunting season quickly approaching, our newspaper is routinely getting ads for gun sales. Can we run those types of ads?
• August 23, 2007
  August 23, 2007An advertiser wants to use the term “walking distance” in a housing ad. Can we print that phrase?
• August 9, 2007
  A school board wants to run a legal ad for a “special meeting” tomorrow but we are past our advertising deadline. The school district says a news article is an acceptable alternative. Is the school district correct?
• August 2, 2007
  A local Catholic school is seeking a teacher. Can the ad say “only Catholics with a baptismal certificate need apply”?
• July 19, 2007
  Should we accept an advertisement from an Indian Reservation for “tax-free, online cigarette orders”?
• June 7, 2007
  We have a school district that would like to say "Male Physical Education Teacher" in an employment ad. Can they do that?
• May 31, 2007
  We received an ad for an online pharmacy. Can we accept it?
• May 11, 2007
  Isn't there a rule in Pennsylvania that restricts last-minute political ads?
• April 12, 2007
  What is the definition of “newspaper of general circulation” and can a free newspaper run legal advertising?
• March 22, 2007
  What are the issues regarding political advertisements for state or local elections?
• January 18, 2007
  Is there an exemption in the fair housing laws that permits religious organizations to discriminate based on religion when seeking tenants for properties that are owned by that religious organization?
• December 21, 2006
  Can bars and restaurants list prices in their ads? Can ads with liquor prices run in community newspapers (including free publications)?
• October 26, 2006
  We are considering running an ad that relates to the sale of uncut sheets of “real money.” The ad includes illustrations of U.S. currency that are in color and close to the same size as real money, although they contain the word “specimen” on them. Any problems?
• September 21, 2006
  What disclaimers must appear in political advertisements in the newspaper?
• September 14, 2006
  What are the rules regarding political advertising?
• August 3, 2006
  We received an ad looking for surrogates. Can we run it?
• June 22, 2006
  What are the rules about using the United States Flag in advertising?
• June 15, 2006
  Should a paper accept a housing or employment ad that seeks “students?”
• May 18, 2006
  Isn’t there a law in Pennsylvania that restricts “last minute” political ads?
• May 11, 2006
  What are the public notice requirements when a Borough is considering a new ordinance?
• April 7, 2006
  Can an automobile ad say that a car is “fully loaded” or that vehicles are offered “at wholesale?”
• March 24, 2006
  Our local fire department wants to advertise for a “Texas Hold-em” tournament. Should we accept the ad?
• March 17, 2006
  Can an employment or recruiting agency advertise without listing its name or the fact that it is an employment agency?
• February 17, 2006
  When is it ok to use the term “free” in advertising?
• February 10, 2006
  Can an advertiser use a picture of the Olympic rings in an ad?
• January 27, 2006
  Can an advertisement use the Pittsburgh Steelers logo or the term Pittsburgh Steelers? What about "Superbowl"? Does it matter how the terms are used in the ad ("Good Luck Steelers" vs. "Come to our Superbowl party and win free prizes")?
• January 20, 2006
  We received an ad from a Canadian pharmacy. Are there any problems with running it?
• December 2, 2005
  Can a housing ad say “Senior Citizen Discount?”
• October 7, 2005
  Can a housing rental ad read “Attention Parents”?
• September 30, 2005
  Can an ad seeking a roommate state "Female seeking female to share apartment. No kids."?
• September 1, 2005
  A newspaper received the following employment ad: “Looking to re-enter the work force? Use your communication and nurturing skills with our clients of all ages.” Is this wording okay?
• August 26, 2005
  Is a mortgage broker required to disclose that they are licensed in an ad?
• August 19, 2005
  Can an apartment ad say “no smoking, no illegal drugs”?
• July 29, 2005
  What are the public notice requirements for estate notices?
• July 22, 2005
  Can a newspaper accept an employment or housing ad seeking "students"?
• July 8, 2005
  What do the new fax rules mean for newspapers?
• June 24, 2005
  When do the new "fax consent" rules take effect? Has Congress or the FCC done anything to reinstate the "established business relationship" exception that would permit me to continue to send advertising faxes to my customers?
• May 27, 2005
  What are the rules regarding bingo advertisements? Who is liable for an ad that violates the law?
• April 8, 2005
  Can we accept an ad for the sale of a slot machine?
• February 11, 2005
  What information is required to be included in a "fictitious name" notice?
• January 28, 2005
  Can an advertisement use the Philadelphia Eagles logo or the term Philadelphia Eagles? What about "Superbowl"? Does it matter how the terms are used in the ad ("Good Luck Eagles" vs. "Come to our Superbowl party and win free prizes")?
• January 7, 2005
  Can we use the term “students” in a housing or employment classified advertisement?
• December 23, 2004
  A local store wants to run a “going out of business” sale, does it need a license? What if they call the sale a “liquidation” sale? Does the license number need to be in the ad? Does the newspaper bear any responsibility if an ad runs without the necessary license number?
• November 19, 2004
  Our local fire company wants to advertise a gun raffle. Any problems?
• September 10, 2004
  What are the rules regarding bingo advertisements? Who is liable for an ad that violates the law?
• August 27, 2004
  Can we identify the relevant public school district in a housing ad?
• August 13, 2004
  Online housing ad generates complaint with Human Relations Commission
• July 16, 2004
  What is required for proof of publication for public notice ads?
• June 25, 2004
  What is a bona fide occupational qualification, when is one necessary, and how does an advertiser get one?
• June 18, 2004
  Can a church or other religious institution include language such as 'strong commitment to Christian values' in an employment ad?
• April 23, 2004
  Are bars and restaurants allowed to advertise drink prices and specials?
• February 13, 2004
  What ads should a newspaper avoid?

Back to index — top