(BQ) Part 2 book "Public relations - Strategies and tactics" has contents: Laws and applications, internet and social media - Rơle & scope in public relations, event management, communicating corporate affairs, public relations in government, global public relations in an interdependent world,.and other contents. | chapter 12 Laws and Applications After reading this chapter, you will be able to: Identify which government agencies regulate the commercial speech used by public relations professionals Explain how public relations professionals can work effectively with lawyers 326 Describe what public relations professionals need to know about defamation, employee and privacy rights, copyright, and trademark laws Understand the key issues surrounding freedom of speech and public relations 5/26/14 8:45 PM Chapter 12 Laws and Applications 327 A Sampling of Legal Problems The law and its many ramifications are somewhat abstract to the average person. Many people may have difficulty imagining exactly how public relations personnel can run afoul of the law or generate a lawsuit simply by communicating information. The following are just a few of the many ways that public relations practitioners can get in legal hot water: ■ Cosmetic surgery company Lifestyle Lift paid a $300,000 settlement to the New York State Attorney General’s office after being accused of having employees post fake consumer reviews online. ■ LeVar Burton sued Child’s Play Communications for $10,000 for failing to adequately represent the actor in the roll-out of his “Reading Rainbow” app for the iPad. When Burton discovered the PR agency was using his likeness on their website to promote their services, he filed another lawsuit, this time for $50,000. ■ The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that two video news releases from King Pharmaceuticals were “false and misleading” because they omitted mention of the risks associated with a painkiller drug and presented misleading claims. ■ American Apparel paid a $5 million settlement to film director Woody Allen for using his image in an advertising campaign and other promotional literature without his permission. ■ Papa John’s Pizza was hit with a $250 million class action .
