§ 75-1.1. Methods of competition, acts and practices regulated; legislative policy. - North Carolina Statutes

§75‑1.1.  Methods of competition, acts and practices regulated;legislative policy.

(a)        Unfair methods ofcompetition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practicesin or affecting commerce, are declared unlawful.

(b)        For purposes of thissection, "commerce" includes all business activities, howeverdenominated, but does not include professional services rendered by a member ofa learned profession.

(c)        Nothing in thissection shall apply to acts done by the publisher, owner, agent, or employee ofa newspaper, periodical or radio or television station, or other advertisingmedium in the publication or dissemination of an advertisement, when the owner,agent or employee did not have knowledge of the false, misleading or deceptivecharacter of the advertisement and when the newspaper, periodical or radio ortelevision station, or other advertising medium did not have a direct financialinterest in the sale or distribution of the advertised product or service.

(d)        Any party claimingto be exempt from the provisions of this section shall have the burden of proofwith respect to such claim. (1969, c. 833; 1977, c. 747,ss. 1, 2.)