It seems like this would depend on whether marketing is used for good or evil. For example, showing a lot of people how your project actually works and why you might want to use it (as Apple does sometimes) is taking the high road. A stronger marketing campaign may work well due to better user education, in which case it's not necessarily "unfair" that a somewhat weaker but better-understood product wins.
But of course there are the usual dirty tricks, too, causing user confusion as you mention.
Very true. I really want to see more companies taking the high road. It's unfortunate seeing the state of marketing. The food industry for example - people are not eating more healthy meals as a result.
But of course there are the usual dirty tricks, too, causing user confusion as you mention.