False Advertising, Animals, and Ethical Consumption

Abstract

In light of the fact that today's consumers often want their products to be created in the most environmentally-, globally-, and animal-friendly ways possible, unethical sellers sometimes succumb to the incentive to persuade consumers that goods were created more ethically than they actually were. False advertising law represents a rare, albeit roundabout, legal opening for animal advocates to deal with issues of animal mistreatment, regardless of legislative and executive branch disregard of the importance of animal protection. Whether there is a beneficial change in the law or not, current opportunities in the market for these cases should be sought out and exploited, if only to protect the ground animal advocates have gained in the battle for consumer opinion. This article investigates the ways that consumers can protect themselves from false advertising through the use of federal and state agencies, independent review, federal and state courts, and private attorneys general actions.