Legally speaking
1 Jan, 2008 By: Kenneth D. Morris Landscape ManagementQ. A recent local newspaper voted my company as #1 in the area. Can I reference the award on my advertisements, business cards and trucks?
A. Yes, but I would recommend that you first contact the newspaper to find out more about how they did the evaluation. You should find out the criteria they used, how large a geographic area their survey covered, whether the paper engaged an outside professional survey firm to conduct the evaluation, whether this was the first time they had done this survey and will this be a continuing annual evaluation. I would recommend you find out these background matters in order to be more informed as to how to position this reference to their evaluation and what to say. It may be, for example, that the newspaper will make suggestions or provide information that might be useful in your own advertisements referencing this number #1 rating.
Kenneth D. Morris, a Philadelphia-based attorney with more than 30 years corporate and law firm experience, offers information on industry legal issues in each issue of LM. Contact him via www.kenmorrislaw.com.
Note:
The above should not be interpreted as offering legal advice in any jurisdiction where such practice is not authorized. Engage competent counsel familiar with your jurisdiction when legal issues arise.
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.