# Unpaid testimonials.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836 "2009-07-03T18:32:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836/1 "2009-07-03T18:32:15Z")

</div>

Are “unpaid testimonials” in infomercials and commercials subject to the same rules as claims made by the companies sponsoring the commercials?  
This _is_ a question. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836/2 "2009-07-04T03:57:19Z")

</div>

The company pays for the whole commercial, and is responsible for all claims made at any time during it.

But just what ‘rukes’ do you think there are for commercials?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836/3 "2009-07-04T04:11:42Z")

</div>

> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#):
>
> The company pays for the whole commercial, and is responsible for all claims made at any time during it.
> 
> But just what ‘rukes’ do you think there are for commercials?

What do you mean “rukes”?  
I think you made a reado.  
😛

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836/4 "2009-07-04T04:31:50Z")

</div>

Do the rules vary on whether it’s an informercial or regular commercial?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpaid-testimonials/501836/5 "2009-07-04T04:44:18Z")

</div>

> [@Serenata67](#):
>
> Do the rules vary on whether it’s an informercial or regular commercial?

I don’t know, but I’m lumping it all together.  
Anybody wanna sort through [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_in_advertising)?