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Is this legal?

by edwood
7 replies
Hi,

I've seen that one of the services on offer on Fiverr is to create a realistic video testimonial for your product/service.

As far as I know, posting a fake testimonial on your site is illegal. Even if it's not illegal, it's still questionable (and pretty risky if you hire someone who's made a LOT of videos).

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

Michael
#legal
  • Profile picture of the author edwood
    Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

    disclosures and disclaimers can protect you, most infomercials use hired talent, some people simply choose to play dirty, as do fiverr providers. However you can definitely hire people and simply have a disclaimer clearing you - I guess it would also depend on what the talent does/says to a degree as well.

    There are even sites and services that specialize in this one element of biz alone..
    That's interesting -- I hadn't thought about the informercial aspect at all, but you're dead right.

    Thanks for the reply.
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  • Profile picture of the author bobsilber
    Fake testimonials are illegal and if you are caught, for example, by the FTC, you have problems.

    Originally Posted by edwood View Post

    Hi,

    I've seen that one of the services on offer on Fiverr is to create a realistic video testimonial for your product/service.

    As far as I know, posting a fake testimonial on your site is illegal. Even if it's not illegal, it's still questionable (and pretty risky if you hire someone who's made a LOT of videos).

    Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Originally Posted by edwood View Post

    Hi,

    I've seen that one of the services on offer on Fiverr is to create a realistic video testimonial for your product/service.

    As far as I know, posting a fake testimonial on your site is illegal. Even if it's not illegal, it's still questionable (and pretty risky if you hire someone who's made a LOT of videos).

    Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

    Michael
    That you need to talk to a lawyer for.

    I can tell you for a fact Derek Jeter isn't driving Ford Fusions (at $10 million a year, he's driving something much nicer), even though he pitches for them on TV. And I'm pretty certain Petyon Manning doesn't eat many Oreo cookies either (he plays football...think about it).

    As far as the legalities go on how they can do that I couldn't tell you...but a lawyer who is into advertising law can.
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  • Profile picture of the author terrapurus
    Do yourself a favor and read the FTC guidelines before you go down this path. Either that or buy a few cases of KY jelly (because the FTC will screw you over if they find you and I doubt they offer this little luxury).
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    • Profile picture of the author TBInternetMarketing
      Originally Posted by terrapurus View Post

      Do yourself a favor and read the FTC guidelines before you go down this path. Either that or buy a few cases of KY jelly (because the FTC will screw you over if they find you and I doubt they offer this little luxury).
      Yea, I'd say it's not legal and never mind the ethics of it either.
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Soto
    If your product is even half way decent, you'll find that many of your customers will be more than happy to give you a testimonial, you just gotta ask. These will look the most natural because they ARE the most natural and they will work the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author kurttasche
    I'm not sure if it's illegal or not, but I wouldn't want a dishonest testimonial on any of my sales pages. It's better to prelaunch your product to your JV partners or a small select group, and get honest testimonials/reviews before the official launch of your product.
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