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Bloggers Can Be Fined Up to 11K Per Post for Non-Disclosure

Scott Roberts

Scott Roberts

Not sure where this topic would fit, so moderators please do your awesome magic and move this where appropriate...

Anywho, this would apply to anyone who blogs and reviews hot sauces. Not sure if this would include any reviewers on forums/message boards or not:

"The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that 'material connections' (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other 'word-of-mouth' marketers. The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization. And a paid endorsement – like any other advertisement – is deceptive if it makes false or misleading claims.

Bloggers can be fined up to 11,000 per post for not disclosing when they receive payment or free products from a company they're writing about.
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Link: http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2009/05/20/what-to-make-of-ftcs-proposed-paid-post-regulations
 
Hmmm...first of all, how can they prove anything. Second of all I like pie. Third of all how does this aply if you are running an ad free site?
 
Bloggers can be fined up to 11,000 per post for not disclosing when they receive payment or free products from a company they're writing about.
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For starters, does this mean 11,000 us dollars? Cause that is a substantial sum of money for a f*$%#in blogging infraction. But the only way they could find someone doing that and actually be willing to prosecute an expensive lawsuit is if the said individual or product was making alot of money off of this blogvertising that you speak of...I would think...
 
These rules have existed in Sweden for years. A few of the big "fashion blogs" who make a living from their blogs have been under investigation, but no one has been convicted/fined AFAIK.

There is an easy way to avoid trouble - if you get a free sample and do a review, just tell the readers that the sample was free. No worries.
 
Yeah, if I'm doing a review, it's either something I bought or that was sent to me for the purpose of reviewing. All ya have to do is have disclosure

Only difference is if a reviewer is getting money or "paid in kind" from the deal.

What they mean is more of an astroturfing thing I think.

Like, Bloggers getting monies from the ad revenues of the products they are touting, etc.
 
patrick said:
Quad, what the heck does "astroturfing thing" mean?
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It means that it deceptively gives the appearance of "grass roots" support, when it's really not. Fake or Fraudulent Grass Roots = Astroturf.
 
I completely understand this full disclosure concept when it comes to high-priced, hot ticket items such as new laptops. But for a $6 bottle of hot sauce sent to me for review? I don't care if they send me 5 bottles; if the sauce sucks, I'm still gonna say it sucks.

The only instance where I feel disclosure is necessary in my case is, if I do web/graphics stuff under Captain Jolokia for a hot sauce manufacturer, retailer or distributor.
 
cheezydemon said:
In the review Just start out:

"So hillbillywhoever sauce co sent me this sauce......."

Done.

What's the big deal?
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When you do the amount of reviews some of us do, it gets old fast. That and it's nobodies business what sauces I paid for and what I didn't. I shouldn't have to disclose that info.
 
The reason for disclosure, is it protects your credibility.

When we find out that MRXblogger who has been giving all this love to Z product for the last 3 years, has also been recieving $1000 a month from them, his line of bull sounds a lot less believeable, and WE (the consumers) all got duped.

PHUCK THAT.
 
cheezydemon said:
The reason for disclosure, is it protects your credibility.
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Ohhhh I see, it's for my protection. Yes, I need protecting. Thank you. How eeeeever could I live without you Big Brother. :crazy:

cheezydemon said:
When we find out that MRXblogger who has been giving all this love to Z product for the last 3 years, has also been recieving $1000 a month from them, his line of bull sounds a lot less believeable, and WE (the consumers) all got duped.

PHUCK THAT.
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I'll have you know Z really is a great product! :lol:
 
cheezydemon said:
If bloggers lose credibility in general (not that you had any IGGY ;)) it would be bad for bloggers.
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When anyone and their mother can become a blogger, there is no credibility. Which is one of the reasons I've always said I'm a writer/journalist.
 
So if in my blog, I write and say that Buster Hymen is an idiot, I have to disclose that Passow paid me $500 dollars to do it? Not just no but hell no! My next blog would be about F and U!
They can talk about control but just try and enforce it. Furthermore, there are more important issues than this to regulate than this tripe.

: hocks a loogy and spits :

TB.
 
texas blues said:
So if in my blog, I write and say that Buster Hymen is an idiot, I have to disclose that Passow paid me $500 dollars to do it? Not just no but hell no! My next blog would be about F and U!
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Speaking of which...where's that post you promised?
 
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