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The government's consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has declared war on misleading communication.

The ACCC is focusing its attention first on the advertising industry, which it believes regularly breaks the law in making misleading claims. In recent months, the ACCC has launched legal action against Target, Harvey Norman and mail order company Danoz Direct, and threatened Virgin Blue and Qantas over airfare conditions.

To avoid being caught in the crossfire, design firms must ensure that clients sign off on all copy (showing that they take responsibility for accuracy of statements) and records are kept of signatures. Failure to do so can mean being joined in very expensive legal proceedings.