Advertising law and regulation

This subtopic deals with the law and regulation governing advertising and marketing activities generally and sector advertising.

The rules applicable to advertising in the UK are found in both legislation and in self-regulatory industry codes of practice. Practice Note: Advertising law and regulation introduces the laws and regulations governing advertising. It gives an overview of the self-regulation of non-broadcast and broadcast advertising in the UK (under the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) and UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code) respectively), the impact of intellectual property rights (copyright, trade marks and passing off) for advertising, consumer and business protection regulations, and data protection and privacy. It also covers direct marketing, sales promotions, ambush marketing, sector adverting and future developments.

For the main legal and regulatory issues to consider when planning and approving a print advertising campaign, see Practice Note: Planning a print advertising campaign—issues to consider.

See also: Advertising copy approval—checklist, which sets out the key issues for consideration when approving advertising copy. It aims to help advertisers and their legal advisers ensure

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