Let me share this with you and I think it will help you to understand your Rights and Limitations as blogger. Blogging which up to now seems to be uncontrolled free medium of expressing views is now to be regulated by the FTC [ Federal Trade Commission]
The Federal Trade Commission will try to regulate blogging for the first time, requiring writers on the Web to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.
The FTC approves the final Web guidelines, which had been expected. Violating the rules, which take effect Dec. 1, 2009 could bring fines up to $11,000 per violation. Bloggers or advertisers also could face injunctions and be ordered to reimburse consumers for financial losses stemming from inappropriate product reviews.
FTC recently crake down fake blogs and to me it seems they want more fair reviews of products and services which means paid reviews are not a better option for bloggers now.
Read this article here for better understanding of the new law and how they will affect you.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
This is something new. Well, it’s right for them to regulate some reviews to make it fair.
.-= nathan´s last blog ..8 Cafe World tips and tricks =-.
This rule mention for consumer protection. It seems that FTC see many false advertising do by bloggers.
.-= Dana@Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Register Blog in Technorati Service =-.
This FTC is new for me other wise i know other one who publish ACCA books lolz :p
Any ways thanks for the information
yocky… new law.. there is to much law in this world and know internet world have them too..
.-= EarningStep´s last blog ..Optimize your own blog style – increase your blog quality instantly part three =-.
I know, these FTC regulations are kinda confusing & have a lot of gray area of doubt. What do you think about dealing with that, Shanker?
.-= Chris Peterson´s last blog ..Do You Possess A Razor Sharp Tongue? =-.
at the moment i have decided not to write too many paid reviews because Google also don’t like sites stuffed with paid reviews.
But Chris we must also check up the genuineness of a every leads that we are promoting through our affiliate links. I have decided to promote only those tools which i am practically using on my blog or have experienced it in some other way.
I feel that is wise, as endorsing stuff you haven’t actually trialled yourself is just a poor reflection on the authority and good reputation you’re trying to build online. Short tewrm gain must never be put before longer term growth. Good choice Shanker, I salute you!
The FTC still needs to actually state what they are going to do and how. They really haven’t said anything except that it’s suppose to start on December 1st and the fine will be up to $11,000. I am not sure how much of a reach they will have. It might be restricted to the U.S. but I am not sure.
thanks for the links these are very useful.The Federal Trade Commission will try to regulate blogging for the first time, requiring writers on the Web to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.
.-= Creative Web Design´s last blog ..Free and User friendly web page design =-.
Woo, it’s very shock to read this news, Shanker. I bet that once the law has been enforced, many paid bloggers would be suffering with this rule!
.-= wilhb81´s last blog ..Business one-liners 68 =-.
I heard about this news too, Is this focused in Asia?
The Laws of the world now reaches the internet.
I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS! EVERYTHING THE GOVERNMENT TOUCHES GOES TO HELL! (SEE POST OFFICE, TAX CODE, BUILDING REGULATIONS, IRAQ)
This will be very difficult for the FTC to regulate i would think
Agreed! However it is a step in the right direction. I really would love to see an end to all the flogs focusing purely on cashing in on affiliate traffic and offering no value whatsoever, apart from keeping honest-to-good blogs away from the front of the search rankings, and their targeted audience.
I like the new regulations personally, there is too many false testimonials going around and a lot of scma products being sold, so these regulations should bring an end to a lot of this.
We are in the middle of a global economic crisis, there are new fears of a North Korean nuclear attack, and accusation of torture & lies are leaking out from our government every other day – yet the Federal Trade Commission seems to think cracking down on the blog economy is a top priority. With all the bankers banking billions and lead-tainted products coming in from overseas, you’d think there are more important economic behaviors to be regulated.