New disclosure rules by the FTC re free review books, etc.

[Harvee Lau]

We knew it was coming and it'll be here Dec. 1. From that day onward, the Federal Trade Commission demands bloggers and reviewers tell where their review books come from, if they are free. The fines are $11,000 per violation, it seems.

[Britt C.]

What?

What difference would it make?

Never heard anything about this.....
Anybody have a link?

[Debbie]

So just something like Hachette Book Group provided this book? I already do that and want to make sure I'm covered. Thanks!

Britt C.-I've been hearing about this on Twitter today.

[Britt C.]

So there IS a reason I should pay attention to twitter.

[Trish Collins]

The fines aren't $11,000 per violation. It's up to $11,000 per violation.

[gaby lapus]

How do we disclose? Is there a special form that they we're required to fill out? Has anyone seen it yet?

[Trish Collins]

There's no form. At this point people on Twitter agree that if you say WHERE you got the book from, in each review, that's enough. Assuming you got the book for free for review.

[Shelly Burns]

I always disclose where my books come from. Where did you find this information?

[WordLily]

Here's the FTC press release (with link on the right side to the full 80-page PDF doc): http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

[Britt C.]

I still really don't understand why the FTC cares. Where I get my books doesn't change how I rate them. Though if I've had direct contact with the author I may try harder to find SOMETHING nice to say when the book sucked.

[Trish Collins]

Well, the FTC really cares more about blogs who are getting more than a $19.99 book, but we fall into the getting-products-for-review category.

Also, the FTC believes that where you get your books DOES change how you rate them. Absurd, I know, but c'est la vie.

Here's a post where a lit blogger interviewed someone from the FTC: http://www.edrants.com/interview-with-the-ftcs-richard-cleland/

[Britt C.]

So RE: the linking of a book to where to buy it, where does that put us if we're amazon associates linking products?

[Trish Collins]

The way I understand it is if you received the book for free, the FTC doesn't want you to link to the book via your Amazon Associates. I don't quite understand why...I just followed the conversation on Twitter. :)

I'm sure someone else will jump in with a longer answer.