The owner of an online electronic products shop put “last day sale” watermarks on a number of his product pictures about six months ago. Now, half a year later, the shop owner has been fined 15,000 yuan for failing to remove the watermarks.

In November 2015, the owner, Ye, decided to lower the price of a portable charger from 138 yuan to 38 yuan, and he labeled the product with “last day sale.” After Ye sold out of all the portable chargers, he did not remove the special watermarks, never realizing that it could become an issue in the future. In April 2016, an anonymous consumer filed a complaint about Ye’s shop, calling Ye’s ad a fraud meant to fool consumers.

After investigation, the market regulation department fined Ye 15,000 yuan for his deceptive advertisement. Though Ye accepted the punishment, he still feels it is unfair for him to be fined so much money because of an “honest mistake.”

What do you think? Was the punishment too serious or just right?