I have no clue about law, but I think there should be a law that doesn't allow "PS" and "footers" or "*" in a different font size, whether it is a website or a printed form or billboard. Their font size should be at least as big as the least other font size used in the page.
The lawyers that frame these footers don't want us to read, and so do everything possible to "help" us "ignore" these.
Yes, I too find that irritating. They do it on radio commercials too, by either using software or actors who can speak fast to rattle off the T&C. Restrictions on this tend to be regarded as an intrusion on free speech, but I'm not sure that commercial solicitations should enjoy the same protection as other kinds.
how is it intrusion? All I am saying is, if the lowest font size (other than the fineprint) in a page is 10, then the fineprint font size should be a minimum of 10.
That said, nothing stops them from adding a single line of useless info, slap the font size at 8, and add the fineprint too as 8 font size.
Something better can be thought of, but there needs to be some law. Those fineprints are read by only those damn lawyers who write them.
Oh I think your idea is entirely reasonable - but reason doesn't stop lawyers from making illogical or counterfactual arguments on behalf of their clients. You might find this very interesting - a (serious) discussion of bullshit promises in legal contracts: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1262477
The lawyers that frame these footers don't want us to read, and so do everything possible to "help" us "ignore" these.