Yes and no.
It is specified in CFR8130.2J (the document that spells out all of the rules for aircraft certification) that when an airworthiness certificate and operating limitations are issued, that the inspector issuing the certificate is required to review all of the operating limitations with the applicant and assure they understand what they mean and how they effect the operation of the aircraft.
So from the start it should be clear.
If the aircraft gets sold, there is definitely potential for confusion, but it is still the owners (actually anyone flying the airplane) responsibility to understand what the operating limitations are. That is why they are required to be in the aircraft at all times.
The best option for anyone that is unsure of what a particular limitation means is (if possible) probably to contact the person that originally issued the certificate and ask if they will clear up the uncertainty.