ABSTRACT
The Internet has evolved into a global information infrastructure with far-reaching implications for business and commercial speech. This chapter provides an overview of Internet-related laws that most directly impact the practice of advertising and public relations. It discusses how existing laws have been applied to accommodate technological innovation and summarizes new laws and regulatory schemes created to address issues presented by online communications. Addressed are trademark issues related to domain names; meta tags and keywords; and commercial solicitation by text, e-mail and robocalling. Also covered are jurisdictional issues presented by online communications, rules regarding the use of social media influencers, information on “dot com” disclosures required by the FTC, as well as the “safe harbor” provisions of the Communications Decency Act for defamatory online content.
