
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC52]

 
                      TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
 
   CHAPTER 2--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION; PROMOTION OF EXPORT TRADE AND 
               PREVENTION OF UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION
 
                 SUBCHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
Sec. 52. Dissemination of false advertisements


(a) Unlawfulness

    It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, or corporation to 
disseminate, or cause to be disseminated, any false advertisement--
        (1) By United States mails, or in or having an effect upon 
    commerce, by any means, for the purpose of inducing, or which is 
    likely to induce, directly or indirectly the purchase of food, 
    drugs, devices, services, or cosmetics; or
        (2) By any means, for the purpose of inducing, or which is 
    likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase in or having 
    an effect upon commerce, of food, drugs, devices, services, or 
    cosmetics.

(b) Unfair or deceptive act or practice

    The dissemination or the causing to be disseminated of any false 
advertisement within the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 
shall be an unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce 
within the meaning of section 45 of this title.

(Sept. 26, 1914, ch. 311, Sec. 12, as added Mar. 21, 1938, ch. 49, 
Sec. 4, 52 Stat. 114; amended Pub. L. 93-637, title II, Sec. 201(c), 
Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2193; Pub. L. 103-297, Sec. 8, Aug. 16, 1994, 108 
Stat. 1550.)


                               Amendments

    1994--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-297 inserted ``services,'' after 
``devices,'' in pars. (1) and (2).
    1975--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93-637 substituted ``in or having an 
effect upon commerce,'' for ``in commerce''.
    Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93-637 substituted ``in or affecting commerce'' 
for ``in commerce''.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 54, 55 of this title; title 
21 section 352.
