This article analyzes concepts and doctrines on unfairness standard in Uzbekistan and the USA. The article shows that Uzbek Advertising law determines unfairness as the main conducts that might cause deception. However, unfairness is an independent category, which cannot be seen as a way of deception. Most interestingly, Uzbek law puts unfairness into the deception standard, which makes its enforcement complicated. Moreover, the State Program on Development Strategy of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 determines the special task to deal with counterfeit merchandise, which intends to prevent unfair competition and to protect manufacturer and consumer rights.

On the other hand, the US antitrust law introduced the legal concept of misleading advertising under unfair methods of competition and deceptive practices in commerce. This article analyzes the US traditional and modern standards of unfairness in advertising.

The article concludes that Uzbek legislature should clarify the borders of unfair advertising to distinguish this type of advertisement from deceptive commercials.

Unfairness, Advertising, Legal Standards

Uzbekistan

Civil code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Part I) [Гражданский Кодекс Республики Узбекистан] (Uzbekistan 1995).

Law on Protection of Consumer Rights [Ўзбекистон Республикасининг Қонуни Истеъмолчиларнинг Ҳуқуқларини Ҳимоя Қилиш тўғрисидa] (Uzbekistan 1996).

Law on Competition of the Republic of Uzbekistan [Ўзбекистон Республикасининг “Рақобат тўғрисида”ги Қонуни] (Uzbekistan 2012).

Law on Advertising of the Republic of Uzbekistan [Ўзбекистон Республикасининг “Реклама тўғрисида”ги қонуни] (Uzbekistan 1998).

Regulation on Advertising [Положение о Размещении Рекламы] (Uzbekistan State Committee for Demonopolization and Development of Competition [Regulation] 2001).

The USA

Federal Trade Commission Act (2013).

Federal Trade Commission Act Amendments of 1994 of 1994, Congress H.R.2243, Congress (103rd Congress (1993-1994) Sess. 1994).

Cases

FTC v. RF Keppel & Bro., Inc., 291 U.S. 304 (Supreme Court 1934).

FTC v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 405 U.S. 233 (Supreme Court 1972).

Books

Butler, William Elliott. Civil Code of the Republic Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, Vinogradoff Institute (University College, London). Kluwer Law International. 1999.

Khodjaev, Bakhshillo. The Issues of Civil Law Regulation of Advertising Service Contracts [Реклама Хизмати Кўрсатишга оид Шартномаларни Фуқаролик Ҳуқуқий Тартибга Солиш Масалалари]. Monograph. Tashkent: Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2009.

Okyulov, Omanbay, and Komil Mansurov. Competition Law [Рақобат ҳуқуқи]. Tashkent: Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2007.

Otahonov, Foziljon. Economic (Business) Law [Хўжалик (Тадбиркорлик) Ҳуқуқи]. In collaboration with German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ). Textbook. Tashkent: Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2003.

Rakhmankulov, Khodji-Akbar. Commentary on the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Part 3) [Комментарий к гражданскому кодексу Республики Узбекистан (том 3)]. Civil code commentaries. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan: SMI ¬ASIA,. 2011.

Rakhmankulov, Khodji-Akbar, and others. Commentary on the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Part 1) [Комментарий к Гражданскому Кодексу Республики Узбекистан (Tом 1)]. Civil code commentaries. Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Vektor-Press. 2010.

Zokirov, Ikrom and others. Commentary to the Law “On Advertising” of the Republic of Uzbekistan [Ўзбекистон Республикасининг “Реклама тўғрисида”ги қонунига шарҳ]. Tashkent: The State Committee for Demonopolization, Competition and Development of Entrepreneurship. 2006.

Оқюлов, Омонбой, and Хуршида Бурханходжаева, eds. The Issues of Improvement of Legislation on Demonopolization and Development of Competition [Монополистик Фаолиятни Чеклаш Ва Рақобатни Ривожлантиришга Оид Қонунчиликни Такомиллаштириш Муаммолари]. Tashkent: Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2011.

Улашов, Боймурод. Competition Policy in Uzbekistan [Конкурентная Политика в Узбекистане]. Tashkent: State Committee for Demonopolization and Development of Competition of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 2010.

Улмасов, A., and М. Шарифхужаев. Theory of Economics [Иқтисодиёт назарияси]. Tashkent: FAN. 1995.

Ходжаев, Бахшилло. Advertising in Uzbekistan: Legal Regulation Issues [Ўзбекистон Республикасида Реклама Фаолияти: Ҳуқуқий Тартибга Солиш Муаммолари]. Tashkent: Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2008.

Siegel, Paul. Communication Law in America. Fourth edition. the USA: Rowman & Littlefield. 2014.

Journal articles

Муродов, Журабек. “Definition and Significance of Unfair Competition amongst Entrepreneurs” [Тадбиркорлар Ўртасидаги Инсофсиз Рақобат Тушунчаси Ва Аҳамияти], 227–31. Tashkent: ТДЮИ. 2010.

Crawford, Carol T. “UNFAIRNESS AND DECEPTION POLICY AT THE FTC: CLARIFYING THE COMMISSION’S ROLE AND RULES.” Antitrust Law Journal 54, no. 2 (1985): 303–15.

Dissertations

Muhammadiev, Ayub. “Theoretical and Practical Issues of Civil Law Principles” [Фуқаролик Ҳуқуқи Тамойилларининг Назарий ва Амалий Муаммолари]. Tashkent. Doctoral dissertation. Tashkent State Institute of Law. 2010.

Standards and Guidelines

FTC Policy Statement on Unfairness, December 17, 1980. https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1980/12/ftc-policy-statement-unfairness.

FTC Policy Statement Regarding Advertising Substantiation, June 24–2014. https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1983/03/ftc-policy-statement-regarding-advertising-substantiation.

Rules and Guides. Federal Trade Commission, 2018. https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rules-and-guides.

Web-pages

H.R. 2243 — 103rd Congress: Federal Trade Commission Act Amendments of 1994. Www.GovTrack.Us., 1994. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/103/hr2243.

In the Matter of International Harvester Co., Federal Trade Commission 104 F.T.C. 949 (1984). Accessed May 14, 2018. https://www.quimbee.com.