Florida Statutes Title XXXIII. Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations § 500.177. Penalty for violation of s. 500.04; dissemination of false advertisement

(1) Any person who violates any provision of s. 500.04 is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083; but, if the violation is committed after a conviction of such person under this section has become final, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) No person shall be subject to the penalties of subsection (1) for having violated s. 500.04(1) or (3) if he or she establishes a guaranty or undertaking, which guaranty or undertaking is signed by and contains the name and address of the person residing in the state or the manufacturer from whom he or she received the article in good faith, to the effect that such article is not adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this chapter, citing the appropriate section thereof.

(3) A publisher, radio-broadcast licensee, or agency or medium for the dissemination of an advertisement, except the food establishment or the seller of the article to which a false advertisement relates, is not liable under this section by reason of the dissemination of such false advertisement, unless the publisher, licensee, or agency or medium refuses, on the request of the department, to furnish the name and post office address of the food establishment, seller, or advertising agency in the state which caused the dissemination of such advertisement.