Can I offer a free trial for my product or service in Illinois? What are the requirements?

Free Trial Offer in Illinois

Illinois law does not have specific provisions regarding free trial offers. However, businesses offering free trial offers must comply with general consumer protection laws and regulations.

Consumer Protection Laws

Illinois consumer protection laws prohibit deceptive and unfair business practices. Businesses must provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about the terms and conditions of the free trial offer, including any fees that may be charged after the trial period ends. Additionally, businesses must obtain consumers’ express consent before charging any fees.

Automatic Renewal

If the free trial offer includes automatic renewal, businesses must comply with the Illinois Automatic Contract Renewal Act ^[4.4]. The Act requires businesses to provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about the automatic renewal terms and obtain consumers’ affirmative consent before charging any fees.

Conclusion

In summary, businesses offering free trial offers in Illinois must comply with general consumer protection laws and regulations, including providing clear and conspicuous disclosures and obtaining consumers’ express consent before charging any fees. If the free trial offer includes automatic renewal, businesses must also comply with the Illinois Automatic Contract Renewal Act.

Source(s):

• [4.4] Authority Descriptions

Jurisdiction

Illinois

• General