Selling to China’s internet savvy e-commerce consumer is all the rage with foreign companies from USA and Europe. These clients often ask our China lawyers to advise them on their China internet advertisement. Many online advertisers seek to take advantage of the medium by utilizing intrusive ads such as pop-ups, automatically opening windows, and pages that refuse to close. If a client come to us with such a proposal, the best we can do is to tell them China doesn’t allow ads like that.
It may surprise some to find that China’s Advertisement Law includes provisions regarding internet ads which specifically provide that such ads shall not affect the “normal” use of the internet.
While the law does allow “pup-ups” it requires a conspicuous “X” so the internet surfer may easily close the ad. Also, generally, internet ads must be able to be closed with one click.
Like many countries, China’s advertisement law is designed to protect consumers. This not only means protection from false claims in advertisement, but protection from disruptive ads online. If you have questions about your internet ad content, or wish to avoid future problems with Chinese regulators. Contact your China lawyers.