Creating Website...want to make sure I am not breaking any laws?

[JohnDoe7524]

Hello, any help that you could give me in the following matter would be greatly appreciated. I am in the process of creating a website that is used for selling an ebook that I created. The ebook is about different ways to make money on the internet. The ebook is completely legit and involves many different ways that I have discovered for people to make large amounts of money on the internet. However, instead of actually doing these things myself, I decided to just create an ebook to teach other people how to do it, and to make my money that way. This is where it creates a problem, in order to get people to buy the book, I have to stretch the truth about my current financial situation. Basically, I claim that I have used the ideas in my book to make alot of money, which is not entirely true, however, I am not trying to scam anyone, and the ebook really does have valuable information about how to make money online, I have just not really used them myself. I found it to be more profitable to sell the ideas, instead of doing them. I am wondering if I am breaking any major laws by doing this? I never actually use my real name, and the entire website and sales letter is done under the name of a persona that I created....(this is not the real name) but lets just call it "Internet Rich Guy". Also, on the disclaimer page I mention that the persona is not intended to represent an actual person, and also that some of the examples of results on the sales page are actually examples of future results. I really want to be able to sell this ebook because I feel that It does contain alot of valuable information, and also because I believe that I can make a good deal of money off of it, so it is really a win-win for both parties. I just want to make sure that I am not breaking any laws by doing this. I dont want to end up in jail. Is this legal, or am I breaking any major laws? Also, I am located in Ohio, but will soon be in California. Please just give me any imput, comment, or advice that you can...Thank you

 

[JohnDoe7524]

One more thing

I also wanted to add that I also offer money back guarantee to anyone that is not 100% satisfied with the information contained within my ebook.

 

[Ohiogal]

Hello, any help that you could give me in the following matter would be greatly appreciated. I am in the process of creating a website that is used for selling an ebook that I created. The ebook is about different ways to make money on the internet. The ebook is completely legit and involves many different ways that I have discovered for people to make large amounts of money on the internet. However, instead of actually doing these things myself, I decided to just create an ebook to teach other people how to do it, and to make my money that way. This is where it creates a problem, in order to get people to buy the book, I have to stretch the truth about my current financial situation. Basically, I claim that I have used the ideas in my book to make alot of money, which is not entirely true, however, I am not trying to scam anyone, and the ebook really does have valuable information about how to make money online, I have just not really used them myself. I found it to be more profitable to sell the ideas, instead of doing them. I am wondering if I am breaking any major laws by doing this? I never actually use my real name, and the entire website and sales letter is done under the name of a persona that I created....(this is not the real name) but lets just call it "Internet Rich Guy". Also, on the disclaimer page I mention that the persona is not intended to represent an actual person, and also that some of the examples of results on the sales page are actually examples of future results. I really want to be able to sell this ebook because I feel that It does contain alot of valuable information, and also because I believe that I can make a good deal of money off of it, so it is really a win-win for both parties. I just want to make sure that I am not breaking any laws by doing this. I dont want to end up in jail. Is this legal, or am I breaking any major laws? Also, I am located in Ohio, but will soon be in California. Please just give me any imput, comment, or advice that you can...Thank you

Your disclaimer page is not necessarily going to stop people from suing you. You could be sued for fraud by deception unless you tell the truth. Selling things under false advertising is NOT legal. Falsely saying you made a lot of money in hopes of getting sales is false advertising. And fraud. Among other things.

 

[JohnDoe7524]

Re:

I appreciate your comments. However, I have a few questions about what you said. First off, are you a lawyer? Second off, in order to be false advertising, don't the claims about the actual product being sold have to be false. For instance, if I said this is 100 page book and it is only 50 pages, or if I said that I guarantee you will make a million dollars this month. That would be false advertising, I dont see how me saying that this persona that I created of a "internet millionaire" saying he is actually an internet millionaire is false advertising. Isn't it no different than those late night TV advertisement where people give fake testomonials, or when you see a commercial with a gorgeous girl, and she is telling you to call now because she is waiting for you....that gorgeous girl is not really waiting for your call, they are just selling the dream, which is what I am doing. Only difference is that my product can actually help people achieve amazing results. Also, how would this be fraud by deception, I never say that I have achieved these results, I say that this persona that I created has achieved these results. Please tell me in your honest opinion what legal trouble I will be looking at if I go forward this idea. Why would someone sue when they can just get there money back? Would I just be facing lawsuits or would I also be facing criminal charges? Also, what can I do to still be able to sell my book, but do it perfectly legally. What if I were to put a thing at the bottom of the page that said by ordering you are stating that you have read, agree, and understand the term and conditions. That way people have to read the disclaimer. I want to do this, but I dont want to end up in jail because of it. Thanks again for your time and input.

 

[coralfragger101]

If these "ideas" of yours really can make people so much money as you are claiming, why don't you simply do them (for awhile), make lots of money at it - THEN sell your book and you can truthfully say that YOU made money at it.

 

[averad]

If these "ideas" of yours really can make people so much money as you are claiming, why don't you simply do them (for awhile), make lots of money at it - THEN sell your book and you can truthfully say that YOU made money at it.

Because he is on setp 1 of the book:

Create webpage and sell this ebook.

 

[Ohiogal]

I appreciate your comments. However, I have a few questions about what you said. First off, are you a lawyer? Second off, in order to be false advertising, don't the claims about the actual product being sold have to be false. For instance, if I said this is 100 page book and it is only 50 pages, or if I said that I guarantee you will make a million dollars this month. That would be false advertising, I dont see how me saying that this persona that I created of a "internet millionaire" saying he is actually an internet millionaire is false advertising. Isn't it no different than those late night TV advertisement where people give fake testomonials, or when you see a commercial with a gorgeous girl, and she is telling you to call now because she is waiting for you....that gorgeous girl is not really waiting for your call, they are just selling the dream, which is what I am doing. Only difference is that my product can actually help people achieve amazing results. Also, how would this be fraud by deception, I never say that I have achieved these results, I say that this persona that I created has achieved these results. Please tell me in your honest opinion what legal trouble I will be looking at if I go forward this idea. Why would someone sue when they can just get there money back? Would I just be facing lawsuits or would I also be facing criminal charges? Also, what can I do to still be able to sell my book, but do it perfectly legally. What if I were to put a thing at the bottom of the page that said by ordering you are stating that you have read, agree, and understand the term and conditions. That way people have to read the disclaimer. I want to do this, but I dont want to end up in jail because of it. Thanks again for your time and input.

Yes I am a lawyer. Second of all it can be considered fraud by deception. For example, it is false advertising to advertise ice cream but in the ad use mashed potatoes to "depict" ice cream because ice cream you know would melt under the hot studio lights but since it looks like the same thing hey why not use it -- because you can't -- it is a false depiction of a material fact. In essence you are using mashed potatoes (the internet millionaire) to sell ice cream (the internet book that supposedly made the guy a millionaire). Why would someone sue? Because they can. Would you be facing criminal charges or lawsuits? Depends on how many people claimed they were defrauded or how egregious the state thought what you were doing was. If many people complained I could see the State Attorney General coming after you. AG's have been known to go after people they consider defrauding others -- including infomercial producers, ponzi schemes, gifting circles and what not. People may read the disclaimer but disclaimers and waivers are not 100%. If you want to sell this and don't actually want to make a million doing the work, you better consult someone who specializes in this area of business to help you with your advertising. Or you may be facing a lot more trouble than you think.