Ten Rules for Social Media

If your company uses social media, consider these regulations to comply with the law.

1. Thou shall not plant false testimonials about your products and services.
2. Thou shall not mislead consumers as to the qualities and prices of the products and services you sell; evidence shall set you free.
3. Thou shall not release information designed to harm a market.
4. Licensed professionals shall not give advice that is individual in nature.
5. Thou shall not engage in illegal promotion schemes, and take care to adhere in interstate and international laws.
6. Thou shall not mislead investors and shareholders as to internal and external risks to your company.
7.Thou shall not publicize any sale of equity or control of the company.
8. Thou shall not release trade secrets.
9. Thou shall not post the copyrighted, trademarked, or patented material of another.
10. Thou shall not defame.

Basically educate your management and employees about law and online social media. Remember the speed with which online posting can be spread...and taken out of context.