An advertisement is the nonpersonal communication of information usually paid for and usually persuasive in nature about products, services or ideas by identified sponsors through the various media e.g. radio, tv, press, outdoor, cinema, electronic communication, Internet. 1)
The rapid growth of the Internet and the incredible flow of information that the Internet has made possible, has transformed the business of advertising.
An advertisement in e-commerce, also known as online advertisement and internet advertisement is a paid message on a Web site, online services or rather interactive medium, such as instant messaging). 2)
There are numbers of difeerent forms of online advertisement:
The traditional laws of advertising are enacted in the interest of all consumers to prevent deceptive and unfair acts or practices. These laws is also applicable to advertising on the Internet.
There are rules and guidelines that protect consumers and also help businesses by maintaining the credibility of the Internet as an advertising medium.
Generally speaking, an online advertisement should be legal, decent, honest and truthful. It should not be misleading and bring advertising into disrepute. It should respect the principles of fair competition generally accepted by business. In some areas the rules and laws are more restricted as gambling, alcoholic drinks, motoring, environmental claims, health and beauty products and therapies, children, weight control, betting and gaming, employment and business opportunities and tobacco. 4)
There are different organisations worldwide which deal with this issue creating rules, guidelines and laws e.g.: