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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72735</law_id><section_number>4.1-320</section_number><catch_line>Illegal advertising; penalty; exception</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Alcoholic Beverage Control Act</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Prohibited Practices; Penalties; Procedural Matters</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Prohibited Practices Generally</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Except in accordance with this subtitle and <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations, no person shall advertise in or send any advertising matter into the Commonwealth about or concerning <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> other than those which may legally be manufactured or sold without a license. <a id="paragraph-261990" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-320/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers may engage in the display of outdoor alcoholic beverage advertising on lawfully erected signs provided such display is done in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Outdoor advertising; limitations; variances; compliance with Title 33.2" href="/4.1-112.2/">4.1-112.2</a> and <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations. <a id="paragraph-261991" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-320/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Except as provided in subsection D, any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-261992" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-320/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> For violations of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Outdoor advertising; limitations; variances; compliance with Title 33.2" href="/4.1-112.2/">4.1-112.2</a> relating to distance and zoning restrictions on outdoor advertising, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall give the advertiser written notice to take corrective action to either bring the advertisement into compliance with this subtitle and <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations or to remove such advertisement. If corrective action is not taken within 30 days, the advertiser shall be guilty of a Class 4 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-261993" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-320/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Neither this section nor any <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation shall prohibit (i) the awarding of watches of a wholesale value of less than $100 by a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> distillery, winery or brewery, to participants in athletic contests; (ii) the exhibition or display of automobiles, boats, or aircraft regularly and normally used in racing or other competitive events and the sponsorship of an automobile, boat or aircraft racing team by a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> distillery, winery or brewery and the display on the automobile, boat or aircraft and uniforms of the members of the racing team, the trademark or brand name of an alcoholic beverage manufactured by such distillery, winery or brewery; (iii) the sponsorship of a professional athletic event, including, but not limited to, golf, auto racing or tennis, by a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> distillery, winery or brewery or the use of any trademark or brand name of any alcoholic beverage in connection with such sponsorship; (iv) the advertisement of <span class="dictionary">beer</span> by the display of such product&#x2019;s name on any airship, which advertising is paid for by the manufacturer of such product; (v) the advertisement of <span class="dictionary">beer</span> or any alcoholic beverage by the display of such product&#x2019;s name on any scale model, reproduction or replica of any motor vehicle, aircraft or watercraft offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>; (vi) the placement of billboard advertising within stadia, coliseums, or racetracks that are used primarily for professional or semiprofessional athletic or sporting events; or (vii) the sponsorship of an entertainment or cultural event. <a id="paragraph-261994" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-320/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 4-69; 1978, c. 630; 1979, c. 196; 1980, c. 407; 1993, c. 866; 1995, c. 222; 2009, c. 322; 2011, c. 728; 2012, cc. 760, 818.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
