Source: https://businesslaw.uslegal.com/deceptive-trade-practices-laws/georgia-deceptive-trade-practices-laws/
Timestamp: 2020-05-30 12:05:38
Document Index: 441423146

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 10', '§ 40']

Georgia Deceptive Trade Practices Laws – Business Law
Georgia has adopted the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Act). The Act is covered under Title 10, Chapter 1, specifically in Article 15. Under Sections 10-1-372, 10-1-420 and 10-1-421 false and fraudulent advertisements are prohibited. Such forms of advertisements are treated as deceptive trade practices.
An administrator or a private person may initiate an action for violation arising out of this Act. Pursuant to Section 10-1-420, any person, firm, or corporation engaged in false advertisement with no intent to sell on stated terms will be guilty of a misdemeanor. Violation of Section 10-1-421 is punishable with a fine more than $200 and less than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 20 days or both. Individuals commencing an action can claim injunctive relief from the court. Exemplary damages are awarded only in case of intentional violation. An intentional violation is punishable by three times the actual damages. If the violation resulted from a bonafide error, the claimant can only recover the actual damages.
By the authority of Section 40-8-5 of the Official Code of Georgia, it is unlawful for any person to tamper with an odometer of a motor vehicle with an intention to reflect a lower mileage.
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-372
When trade practices are deceptive; common-law and other remedies unaffected
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-420
Advertising without intending to sell on stated terms; disclaimers as to availability
(a) No person, firm, or corporation shall offer for sale merchandise, commodities, or services by making, publishing, disseminating, circulating, or placing before the public within this state in a newspaper or other publication, or in the form of a book, notice, handbill, poster, sign, billboard, bill, circular, pamphlet, letter, photograph, motion picture, or by radio, loud-speaker, telephone, television, telegraph, or in any other way, or advertise merchandise, commodities, or services with intent, design, or purpose not to sell the merchandise, commodities, or services so advertised or offered for sale at the price or upon the terms stated therein or otherwise communicated, or with intent not to sell the merchandise, commodities, or services so advertised.
(c) Any person, firm, or corporation violating this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-421
False or fraudulent statements in advertising prohibited; broadcaster or publisher acting in good faith excepted; penalties
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-423
Enjoining prohibited advertising
Any person, firm, or corporation offering through advertising merchandise, commodities, or services for sale in violation of Code Section 10-1-420, 10-1-421, or 10-1-422 may be enjoined from such advertising by the superior court having jurisdiction, upon the suit of any person aggrieved or about to be aggrieved thereby.
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-373
Enjoining deceptive trade practices; costs and attorney’s fees; relief cumulative
(b) Costs shall be allowed to the prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs. The court, in its discretion, may award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party if:
(c) The relief provided in this Code section is in addition to remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other statutes of this state.
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-397
Authority of administrator to issue cease and desist order or impose civil penalty; judicial relief; receivers
(D) Restitution to any person or persons adversely affected by a defendant’s actions in violation of this part;
(E) The appointment of a receiver, auditor, or conservator for the defendant or the defendant’s assets; or
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-397.1
Initiation or intervention by administrator
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-399
Civil or equitable remedies by individuals
(a) Any person who suffers injury or damages as a result of a violation of Chapter 5B of this title, as a result of consumer acts or practices in violation of this part, as a result of office supply transactions in violation of this part or whose business or property has been injured or damaged as a result of such violations may bring an action individually, but not in a representative capacity, against the person or persons engaged in such violations under the rules of civil procedure to seek equitable injunctive relief and to recover his general and exemplary damages sustained as a consequence thereof in any court having jurisdiction over the defendant; provided, however, exemplary damages shall be awarded only in cases of intentional violation.
(b) At least 30 days prior to the filing of any such action, a written demand for relief, identifying the claimant and reasonably describing the unfair or deceptive act or practice relied upon and the injury suffered, shall be delivered to any prospective respondent.
(d) If the court finds in any action that there has been a violation of this part, the person injured by such violation shall, in addition to other relief provided for in this Code section and irrespective of the amount in controversy, be awarded reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of litigation incurred in connection with said action; provided, however, the court shall deny a recovery of attorneys’ fees and expenses of litigation which are incurred after the rejection of a reasonable written offer of settlement made within 30 days of the mailing or delivery of the written demand for relief required by this Code section….”
O.C.G.A. § 10-1-400
Limitation on recovery in case of bona fide error
O.C.G.A. § 40-8-5
Alteration of odometer; involvement with devices which cause odometer to register other than actual mileage; penalties
Inside Georgia Deceptive Trade Practices Laws