COMM 317: Advertising, the law and the 'marketplace of ideas'

Apart from ethical considerations, there are few legal limitations on advertising per se. According to JLCom Publishing Co., a law firm, the Central Hudson rule applies. Named for the court case in which it appears, JLCom says it holds:

Under the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission of New York, No. 79-565, Supreme Court of the United States, 447 U.S. 557; 100 S. Ct. 2343; 1980 U.S. LEXIS 48; 65 L. Ed. 2d 341; 6 Media L. Rep. 1497; 34 P.U.R.4th 178, June 20, 1980, a state must justify restrictions on truthful, nonmisleading commercial speech by demonstrating that its actions "directly advance" a substantial state interest and are no more extensive than necessary to serve that interest.

It's part of a brief discussion on Advertising and the First Amendment. We'd better read it.