California Code
DIVISION 7 - GENERAL BUSINESS REGULATIONS
PART 3 - REPRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

CHAPTER 1 - Advertising

ARTICLE 1 - False Advertising in General

Section 17500. - 17500. It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or...

Section 17500.1. - 17500.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no trade or...

Section 17500.3. - 17500.3. (a) It is unlawful for any person to solicit...

Section 17500.5. - 17500.5. (a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation...

Section 17501. - 17501. For the purpose of this article the worth or...

Section 17502. - 17502. This article does not apply to any visual or...

Section 17504. - 17504. (a) Any person, partnership, corporation, firm, joint stock company,...

Section 17505. - 17505. No person shall state, in an advertisement of his...

Section 17505.2. - 17505.2. (a) It is unlawful for a person to represent...

Section 17506. - 17506. As used in this chapter, “person” includes any individual,...

Section 17506.5. - 17506.5. As used in this chapter: (a) “Board within the...

Section 17507. - 17507. It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or...

Section 17508. - 17508. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person doing...

Section 17509. - 17509. (a) Any advertisement, including any advertisement over the Internet,...

ARTICLE 1.3 - Charitable Solicitations

Section 17510. - 17510. (a) The Legislature finds that there exists in the...

Section 17510.1. - 17510.1. As used in this article, “sale” shall include a...

Section 17510.2. - 17510.2. (a) As used in this article, “solicitation for charitable...

Section 17510.25. - 17510.25. (a) A charity, as defined in subdivision (e), may...

Section 17510.3. - 17510.3. (a) Prior to any solicitation or sales solicitation for...

Section 17510.4. - 17510.4. If the initial solicitation or sales solicitation is made...

Section 17510.5. - 17510.5. (a) The financial records of a soliciting organization shall...

Section 17510.6. - 17510.6. The provisions of this article shall not apply to...

Section 17510.7. - 17510.7. Compliance with any city or county ordinance which provides...

Section 17510.8. - 17510.8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, there exists...

Section 17510.85. - 17510.85. (a) An individual, corporation, or other legal entity who...

Section 17510.87. - 17510.87. Any individual, corporation, or other legal entity who, for...

Section 17510.9. - 17510.9. (a) A charity engaged in any solicitation or sales...

Section 17510.95. - 17510.95. The Attorney General shall annually publish a report that...

ARTICLE 1.4 - Telephonic Sellers

Section 17511. - 17511. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that the widespread...

Section 17511.1. - 17511.1. As used in this article, “telephonic seller” or “seller”...

Section 17511.2. - 17511.2. As used in this article, the following terms have...

Section 17511.3. - 17511.3. (a) Not less than 10 days prior to doing...

Section 17511.4. - 17511.4. Each filing pursuant to Section 17511.3 shall contain the...

Section 17511.5. - 17511.5. In addition to complying with the requirements of Section...

Section 17511.6. - 17511.6. Every telephonic seller shall file with the Attorney General,...

Section 17511.7. - 17511.7. No seller shall make or authorize the making of...

Section 17511.8. - 17511.8. No salesperson shall solicit prospective purchasers on behalf of...

Section 17511.9. - 17511.9. Except as provided in Section 17511.8, any person, including,...

Section 17511.10. - 17511.10. The provisions of this article are not exclusive. The...

Section 17511.12. - 17511.12. (a) Every telephonic seller shall maintain a bond issued...

Section 17512. - 17512. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to...

Section 17513. - 17513. (a) It shall be unlawful for any telephonic seller...

Section 17514. - 17514. (a) A person who sends a solicitation by mail...

ARTICLE 1.5 - Labeling of Products Made by the Blind

Section 17520. - 17520. Any misrepresentation that goods offered for sale are the...

Section 17521. - 17521. As used in this article: (a) “Blind” means a...

Section 17522. - 17522. No goods or articles which are determined by label,...

Section 17523. - 17523. Any blind workman, who is a citizen or resident...

ARTICLE 1.6 - Cyber Piracy

Section 17525. - 17525. (a) It is unlawful for a person, with a...

Section 17526. - 17526. In determining whether there is a bad faith intent...

Section 17527. - 17527. As used in this article: (a) “Deceased personality” shall...

Section 17528. - 17528. Jurisdiction for actions brought pursuant to this article shall...

Section 17528.5. - 17528.5. In addition to any other remedies available under law,...

ARTICLE 1.8 - Restrictions On Unsolicited Commercial E-mail Advertisers

Section 17529. - 17529. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the...

Section 17529.1. - 17529.1. For the purpose of this article, the following definitions...

Section 17529.2. - 17529.2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person or...

Section 17529.3. - 17529.3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit...

Section 17529.4. - 17529.4. (a) It is unlawful for any person or entity...

Section 17529.5. - 17529.5. (a) It is unlawful for any person or entity...

Section 17529.8. - 17529.8. (a) (1) In addition to any other remedies provided...

Section 17529.9. - 17529.9. The provisions of this article are severable. If any...

ARTICLE 2 - Particular Offenses

Section 17530. - 17530. It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or...

Section 17530.1. - 17530.1. (a) It shall be unlawful for a person to...

Section 17530.5. - 17530.5. (a) It is a misdemeanor for any person, including...

Section 17530.7. - 17530.7. It is unlawful for any person, other than a...

Section 17531. - 17531. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation,...

Section 17531.1. - 17531.1. Every manufacturer, wholesaler, jobber, distributor, or other person, who...

Section 17531.3. - 17531.3. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms...

Section 17531.5. - 17531.5. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation,...

Section 17531.6. - 17531.6. As used in Sections 17531.7 and 17531.8, the term:...

Section 17531.7. - 17531.7. (a) No manufacturer, processor, or distributor of television picture...

Section 17531.8. - 17531.8. No person other than a purchaser at retail for...

Section 17531.9. - 17531.9. Any person violating any of the provisions of Section...

Section 17532. - 17532. It is unlawful wilfully or knowingly, with intent to...

Section 17533. - 17533. It is unlawful for any proprietor or publisher of...

Section 17533.5. - 17533.5. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation...

Section 17533.6. - 17533.6. (a) Except as described in subdivisions (b) and (c),...

Section 17533.6.5. - 17533.6.5. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a person, firm, corporation,...

Section 17533.7. - 17533.7. (a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation,...

Section 17533.8. - 17533.8. (a) It is unlawful for any person to offer,...

Section 17533.9. - 17533.9. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation,...

Section 17533.10. - 17533.10. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation,...

Section 17534. - 17534. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association or any...

Section 17534.5. - 17534.5. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the remedies or penalties provided...

Section 17535. - 17535. Obtaining Injunctive Relief Any person, corporation, firm, partnership, joint...

Section 17535.5. - 17535.5. (a) Any person who intentionally violates any injunction issued...

Section 17536. - 17536. Penalty for Violations of Chapter; Proceedings; Disposition of Proceeds...

Section 17536.5. - 17536.5. If a violation of this chapter is alleged or...

Section 17537. - 17537. (a) It is unlawful for any person to use...

Section 17537.1. - 17537.1. (a) It is unlawful for any person, or an...

Section 17537.2. - 17537.2. The following, when used as part of an advertising...

Section 17537.3. - 17537.3. The following acts are prohibited: (a) For any person...

Section 17537.4. - 17537.4. If the person making an offer subject to Section...

Section 17537.5. - 17537.5. (a) It is unlawful for any person soliciting a...

Section 17537.6. - 17537.6. (a) It is unlawful for any person to make...

Section 17537.7. - 17537.7. Except as to communications described in paragraph (2) of...

Section 17537.8. - 17537.8. (a) It is unlawful for any person to make...

Section 17537.9. - 17537.9. (a) It is unlawful for any person to make...

Section 17537.10. - 17537.10. (a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation,...

Section 17537.11. - 17537.11. (a) It is unlawful for any person to offer...

Section 17537.12. - 17537.12. (a) This section shall be known and may be...

Section 17537.15. - 17537.15. (a) For purposes of this section, “floral or ornamental...

Section 17538. - 17538. (a) It is unlawful in the sale or lease...

Section 17538.3. - 17538.3. The provisions of Section 17538 do not apply to...

Section 17538.35. - 17538.35. (a) Unless otherwise permitted by law or contract, any...

Section 17538.41. - 17538.41. (a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), (c),...

Section 17538.43. - 17538.43. (a) As used in this section, the following terms...

Section 17538.45. - 17538.45. (a) For purposes of this section, the following words...

Section 17538.5. - 17538.5. (a) It is unlawful in the sale or offering...

Section 17538.6. - 17538.6. (a) It is unlawful for any person conducting business...

Section 17538.7. - 17538.7. (a) It is unlawful for a seller to advertise...

Section 17538.8. - 17538.8. Any advertisement that offers free or discounted transportation or...

Section 17538.9. - 17538.9. (a) For the purposes of this section: (1) “Ancillary...

Section 17539. - 17539. The Legislature finds that there is a compelling need...

Section 17539.1. - 17539.1. (a) The following unfair acts or practices undertaken by,...

Section 17539.15. - 17539.15. (a) Solicitation materials containing sweepstakes entry materials or solicitation...

Section 17539.2. - 17539.2. Every person who conducts any contest shall: (a) Clearly...

Section 17539.3. - 17539.3. (a) Sections 17539.1 and 17539.2 do not apply to...

Section 17539.35. - 17539.35. No person shall advertise, offer, or operate any contest,...

Section 17539.4. - 17539.4. No person shall place an advertisement disseminated primarily in...

Section 17539.5. - 17539.5. (a) For purposes of this section and Sections 17539.55...

Section 17539.55. - 17539.55. (a) It shall be unlawful to operate a sweepstakes...

Section 17539.6. - 17539.6. Any broadcast or print advertisement or notice that contains...

ARTICLE 2.6 - Sellers of Travel

Section 17550. - 17550. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the...

Section 17550.1. - 17550.1. (a) “Seller of travel” means a person who sells,...

Section 17550.2. - 17550.2. “Advertise” means to make any representation in the solicitation...

Section 17550.3. - 17550.3. “Passenger” is a person on whose behalf money or...

Section 17550.4. - 17550.4. An air carrier is a transporter by air of...

Section 17550.5. - 17550.5. “Ticket or voucher” means a writing that is itself...

Section 17550.6. - 17550.6. “Officially appointed agent” means an agent expressly appointed as...

Section 17550.7. - 17550.7. “Participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund” is a...

Section 17550.8. - 17550.8. “Provider” means the person or entity who actually provides...

Section 17550.9. - 17550.9. “Travel services” includes, but is not limited to, lodging,...

Section 17550.10. - 17550.10. “Travel certificate” means a writing that represents the holder...

Section 17550.11. - 17550.11. (a) “Adequate bond” means a bond executed by an...

Section 17550.13. - 17550.13. (a) (1) A seller of travel shall not receive...

Section 17550.14. - 17550.14. (a) The seller of travel has an obligation either...

Section 17550.15. - 17550.15. (a) This section applies to a seller of travel...

Section 17550.16. - 17550.16. (a) A seller of travel is exempt from the...

Section 17550.17. - 17550.17. (a) This section does not apply to sellers of...

Section 17550.18. - 17550.18. (a) If any provision of this article or the...

Section 17550.19. - 17550.19. In addition to any civil penalties provided in this...

Section 17550.195. - 17550.195. (a) The Attorney General shall immediately suspend the registration...

Section 17550.20. - 17550.20. (a) (1) Not less than 10 days prior to...

Section 17550.21. - 17550.21. Each filing pursuant to Section 17550.20 shall contain the...

Section 17550.22. - 17550.22. No registration application shall be accepted for filing if...

Section 17550.23. - 17550.23. (a) The Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation shall notify the...

Section 17550.24. - 17550.24. (a) The Attorney General or his or her delegate...

Section 17550.25. - 17550.25. (a) All sellers of travel who are participants shall...

Section 17550.26. - 17550.26. (a) For the purposes of this section, “travel business...

Section 17550.27. - 17550.27. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following...

Section 17550.30. - 17550.30. (a) The Travel Seller Fund is hereby created in...

ARTICLE 2.7 - Travel Consumer Restitution Plan

Section 17550.35. - 17550.35. “Restitution corporation” means the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation. (Added...

Section 17550.36. - 17550.36. “Participant,” as used in this article, means a seller...

Section 17550.37. - 17550.37. (a) “Person aggrieved,” as used in this article, means...

Section 17550.38. - 17550.38. (a) It is the purpose of the Travel Consumer...

Section 17550.39. - 17550.39. (a) Participants shall maintain a corporation under the Nonprofit...

Section 17550.40. - 17550.40. Each participant is required to comply with the provisions...

Section 17550.41. - 17550.41. (a) The Board of Directors of the Travel Consumer...

Section 17550.42. - 17550.42. The fiscal year of the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation...

Section 17550.42.5. - 17550.42.5. (a) Within 30 days of the close of the...

Section 17550.43. - 17550.43. (a) The Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation shall establish and...

Section 17550.44. - 17550.44. (a) In addition to the assessments required by Section...

Section 17550.45. - 17550.45. (a) If any assessment is not paid within 60...

Section 17550.46. - 17550.46. (a) The Attorney General or his or her delegate...

Section 17550.47. - 17550.47. (a) (1) Any person aggrieved who suffers a loss...

Section 17550.48. - 17550.48. Any person aggrieved who recovers from the fund shall...

Section 17550.49. - 17550.49. If the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation directs that payment...

Section 17550.50. - 17550.50. There shall be no personal liability on the part...

Section 17550.51. - 17550.51. The Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation shall not be liable...

Section 17550.52. - 17550.52. The Attorney General or his or her delegate may...

Section 17550.53. - 17550.53. (a) The Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation shall have independent...

Section 17550.54. - 17550.54. (a) The Secretary of State shall not file articles...

Section 17550.55. - 17550.55. No provision of the Insurance Code shall apply to...

Section 17550.56. - 17550.56. The operation of the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation shall...

Section 17550.57. - 17550.57. If the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation is dissolved or...

Section 17550.58. - 17550.58. All costs and expenses incurred by the Department of...

ARTICLE 2.8 - Educational Travel Organizations

Section 17552. - 17552. (a) “Educational travel organization” or “organization” means a person,...

Section 17553. - 17553. Nothing in this article shall be construed as exempting...

Section 17554. - 17554. An educational travel organization may not arrange an educational...

Section 17555. - 17555. In addition to other requirements and prohibitions of this...

Section 17556. - 17556. (a) Where any school or student, or that student’s...

Section 17556.5. - 17556.5. Except as otherwise provided, a person who violates a...

ARTICLE 3 - Motel and Motor Court Rate Signs

Section 17560. - 17560. “Outdoor sign” or “outside sign” as used in this...

Section 17561. - 17561. “Room rates” as used in this article means the...

Section 17562. - 17562. “Operator” as used in this article includes a manager...

Section 17563. - 17563. This article shall apply to operators and owners of...

Section 17564. - 17564. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator...

Section 17565. - 17565. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator...

Section 17566. - 17566. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator...

Section 17567. - 17567. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed so...

Section 17567.5. - 17567.5. The governing body of any city, county, or city...

Section 17568. - 17568. Any person violating the provisions of this article is...

ARTICLE 3.5 - Hotel And Motel Advertised Rates

Section 17568.5. - 17568.5. Upon the proclamation of a state of emergency resulting...

ARTICLE 4 - American Indian-Made Articles

Section 17569. - 17569. It is unlawful to barter, trade, sell, or offer...

Section 17569.9. - 17569.9. “Indian,” as used in this article, means a person...

ARTICLE 5 - Vending Machines

Section 17570. - 17570. On and after July 1, 1969, every person who...

Section 17571. - 17571. “Vending machine” means any mechanical device the operation of...

Section 17572. - 17572. Any person who violates this article is guilty of...

ARTICLE 6 - Water Treatment Devices

Section 17577. - 17577. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there have...

Section 17577.1. - 17577.1. For the purposes of this article, the following terms...

Section 17577.2. - 17577.2. It is unlawful for any person to do any...

Section 17577.3. - 17577.3. (a) A contract or offer which is subject to...

Section 17577.4. - 17577.4. Any violation of this article is a misdemeanor punishable...

Section 17577.5. - 17577.5. (a) No contract or offer for the sale, lease,...

Section 17577.6. - 17577.6. (a) A buyer, lessee, or renter of a water...

ARTICLE 7 - Environmental Representations

Section 17580. - 17580. (a) A person who represents in advertising or on...

Section 17580.5. - 17580.5. (a) It is unlawful for a person to make...

Section 17581. - 17581. Any violation of this article is a misdemeanor punishable...

ARTICLE 7.5 - Automotive Products

Section 17582. - 17582. (a) Any engine coolant or antifreeze sold in this...

ARTICLE 8 - Unsolicited and Unwanted Telephone Solicitations

Section 17590. - 17590. (a) There is a compelling state interest to protect...

Section 17591. - 17591. It is unlawful for any person to do any...

Section 17592. - 17592. (a) For purposes of this article: (1) A “telephone...

Section 17593. - 17593. (a) The Attorney General, a district attorney, or a...

Section 17594. - 17594. Any information regarding any California telephone number that appears...

ARTICLE 9 - Automatic Purchase Renewals

Section 17600. - 17600. It is the intent of the Legislature to end...

Section 17601. - 17601. For the purposes of this article, the following definitions...

Section 17602. - 17602. (a) It is unlawful for any business that makes...

Section 17603. - 17603. In any case in which a business sends any...

Section 17604. - 17604. (a) Notwithstanding Section 17534, a violation of this article...

Section 17605. - 17605. The following are exempt from the requirements of this...

Section 17606. - 17606. This article shall become operative on December 1, 2010....

CHAPTER 2 - Premium Coupons

Section 17700. - 17700. As used in this chapter: (a) “Coupon” includes certificates,...

Section 17701. - 17701. It is unlawful for any person to issue coupons...

Section 17701.5. - 17701.5. It is unlawful for any person to advertise a...

Section 17702. - 17702. Any person violating this chapter is for each offense...

CHAPTER 3 - Trading Stamp Company Act

Section 17750. - 17750. “Trading stamp” means any stamp or similar device issued...

Section 17751. - 17751. “Trading stamp” also means any stamp or similar device...

Section 17752. - 17752. “Trading stamp” does not include any redeemable device used...

Section 17753. - 17753. “Trading stamp” does not include any coupon, ticket, certificate,...

Section 17754. - 17754. The Legislature finds and declares that the devices described...

Section 17755. - 17755. “Trading stamp company” means any person engaged in any...

Section 17756. - 17756. “Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company,...

Section 17757. - 17757. “Organization” means any partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or...

Section 17758. - 17758. “Issue” includes use, distribute, give away, sell, furnish, and...

Section 17759. - 17759. “Merchant” includes retailer, person dealing in services, or person...

Section 17760. - 17760. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to...

Section 17761. - 17761. It is unlawful for any person to issue any...

Section 17762. - 17762. Any trading stamp company shall redeem upon presentation any...

Section 17763. - 17763. It is unlawful for any person to willfully issue...

Section 17764. - 17764. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person from...

Section 17765. - 17765. Any person who advertises the giving of trading stamps,...

Section 17766. - 17766. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring...

Section 17767. - 17767. If a trading stamp company fails to redeem any...

Section 17768. - 17768. Any merchant who has issued to his or her...

Section 17769. - 17769. No trading stamp company shall cease issuing trading stamps...

Section 17770. - 17770. Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall...

Section 17771. - 17771. Any person who willfully violates any provision of this...

Section 17772. - 17772. Trading stamps issued by a trading stamp company subject...

Section 17773. - 17773. Nothing in this chapter, nor in this code, shall...

CHAPTER 5 - Fictitious Business Names

Section 17900. - 17900. (a) (1) The purpose of this section is to...

Section 17901. - 17901. As used in this chapter, “general partner” means: (a)...

Section 17901.5. - 17901.5. As used in this chapter, “manager” means a manager...

Section 17902. - 17902. As used in this chapter, “person” includes individuals, limited...

Section 17903. - 17903. As used in this chapter, “registrant” means a person...

Section 17905. - 17905. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors may, by resolution,...

Section 17910. - 17910. Every person who regularly transacts business in this state...

Section 17910.5. - 17910.5. (a) No person shall adopt any fictitious business name...

Section 17911. - 17911. This chapter does not apply to a nonprofit corporation...

Section 17912. - 17912. This chapter does not apply to a real estate...

Section 17913. - 17913. (a) The fictitious business name statement shall contain all...

Section 17914. - 17914. The fictitious business name statement shall be signed as...

Section 17915. - 17915. A fictitious business name statement shall be filed with...

Section 17916. - 17916. Presentation for filing of an original fictitious business name...

Section 17917. - 17917. (a) Within 45 days after a fictitious business name...

Section 17918. - 17918. No person transacting business under a fictitious business name...

Section 17919. - 17919. (a) A fictitious business name statement may be executed,...

Section 17920. - 17920. (a) Unless the statement expires earlier under subdivision (b)...

Section 17921. - 17921. Notice of the date of expiration shall be on...

Section 17922. - 17922. (a) Upon ceasing to transact business in this state...

Section 17923. - 17923. (a) Any registrant who is a general partner in...

Section 17924. - 17924. (a) The county clerk shall furnish without charge a...

Section 17925. - 17925. (a) The county clerk shall maintain one or more...

Section 17926. - 17926. (a) As used in this section, “statement” means a...

Section 17927. - 17927. (a) The county clerk shall mark each fictitious business...

Section 17928. - 17928. (a) Upon prepayment of the fee established pursuant to...

Section 17929. - 17929. (a) The fee for filing a fictitious business name...

Section 17930. - 17930. Any person who executes, files, or publishes any statement...

CHAPTER 6 - Bots

Section 17940. - 17940. For purposes of this chapter: (a) “Bot” means an...

Section 17941. - 17941. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to...

Section 17942. - 17942. (a) The duties and obligations imposed by this chapter...

Section 17943. - 17943. This chapter shall become operative on July 1, 2019....