By Daniel Thomas
* HIGH street electronics store PC World have been rapped by watchdogs for advertising illegal iPod accessories.
PC world launched the ads for £30 FM transmitters under the headline "iPod in your car!"
But small print admitted it would be illegal to use the gadget in the UK without a broadcasting licence, and that customers would be unlikely to get one.
And after complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority ruled the campaign was irresponsible and untruthful.
The ASA panel said: "We considered the ad could encourage the public to break the law and was irresponsible."
The kit (below) works by allowing iPods to transmit on an FM radio signal, which can then be picked up on the car radio.
But UK law does not allow the public to broadcast without a licence.
The ad small print admitted: "Broadcasting licences are not normally available to consumers.
"This product may be operated without a licence in Germany, Poland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Estonia and America... The current legislation is under review."
PC World, which has 156 stores in the UK and Ireland said: "We're disappointed with the ruling.
"We spoke to the regulators Ofcom who did not advise us not to sell. It's an archaic law. This iPod accessory does not pose a risk to any consumer."
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