FTC Rules That Bloggers Must Disclose

[Joana]

-------------------

PHILADELPHIA -

The Federal Trade Commission will require bloggers to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.

It is the first time since 1980 that the commission has revised its guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, and the first time the rules have covered bloggers.

But the commission stopped short Monday of specifying how bloggers must disclose any conflicts of interest.

The FTC said its commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the final guidelines, which had been expected. Penalties include up to $11,000 in fines per violation.

The rules take effect Dec. 1.

-------------------

Article Source


So, apparently my discussion about whether or not it was tacky to mention if a book reviewed was a free copy or not in-post is now a moot point.

I can't help but wonder if this is retroactive. By which I mean, do I need to go back through years of posts and find every review I did where I got a book or other product for free or I was paid and edit those to make sure everything is a-o-k.

What do you think of this decision and how do you think it will affect you?

[Kimberly Hulst]

Interesting. As most bloggers are either Canadian or American, (that I have come across) who do book reviews, will the American laws affect outside of the U.S.
Wonder if us Canadians have a similar rule?

[Amy Jacobs]

This is just so ridiculous! Do they have nothing better to do then make stupid laws?! What if we just put I received this book as a gift?! LOL...If we do get it as a freebie for promotion do we just say I received this from so and so for an advanced review for promotion. What exactly are they looking for us to say?

[Kim]

Laws are rarely retroactive.

[Christy Pinheiro]

I second Kim-- laws are rarely retro-active.

The IRS might have something to do with this, too.

Christy Pinherio, EA ABA

[Karoline]

ok, so let me get this straight, it's saying that whenever we do a book review we have to tell the whole world where we got the book from? hmm..even the ones we bought? so we have to state: "I bought this book from "enter store here" " ?

[Amy Jacobs]

That's what I was wondering. What if we borrowed it from a friend or a library. Do we have to mention that we got it from them to even attempt to post the review?! This is so dumb. When I do get an ARC I always mention who gave it to me, but come on!

[Maw Books]

No, only for books sent from publisher, author, or publicist.

[Patricia Ramirez]

Man, you beat me to it. I just posted a similar thread before seeing that you had started this one.

I don't think it will have much of an impact on the way I work -- I will simply indicate somewhere in my review that the book was a review copy that I received for free.

I doubt that the ruling is retroactive -- most are not. I assume that any post that was clearly made prior to the date that the rule goes into effect will be exempt.

[Ziaria]

So if I am reading this right. We just have to say this was sent to us by for review and we've covered our butts?

[Jaime Huff]

They haven't disclosed EXACTLY what kind of wording they want. However, it doesn't go in to effect until December 1st. I say until then, get in to the practice of saying the book was provided courtesy of So and So.

[Amy Jacobs]

How is the going to affect contests and giveaways?

[Jaime Huff]

According to the FTC, this only has to do with reviewing the product. The reason for it is because bloggers/reviewers write glowing reviews and the FTC wants it disclosed due to bias. Hosting a giveaway doesn't count, from my understanding, because you are not reviewing the product. I disclose on my giveaways who is providing it (the author, publisher, myself, etc) anyways.