I found this article in the Houston Chronicle to be very interesting indeed!
FTC: Bloggers must reveal their freebies
Associated Press
Oct. 5, 2009, 9:36AM
Associated Press
Oct. 5, 2009, 9:36AM
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.
For some reason, this just strikes me as wrong on so many levels...I have a disclaimer on the very bottom of my blog, but still, this just seems un-necessary to me! But what do I know? I don't get paid to say anything about anything anyway!
Just thought I would pass this along, ya know?
Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside, OK?
Maybe I'm grumpy because its so early, but anything that starts out with "Federal" usually is only about getting more money outta us.
ReplyDeleteI dont get paid for anything either so it doenst effect me. But maybe the federal government will have a gas tax on hamburgers soon if they figure a way to harness that kind of energy. They can come sniff my meter. If you get my drift.
I think I better stop watching the mini series JOHN ADAMS. ITs gettin me all revolutionary.
Good Morning my Special One, I don't even have anything to say because this is getting to be to much already with taxing us to death for anything they can come up with. Maybe if these so called people in gov. would stop lining thier pockets it just might get better.(guess I did have something to say)
ReplyDeleteOh lets just drink coffee and watch the clouds roll by its much more relaxing.
Hey Marc...
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on that feeling, my man. I figure that the GOV. is just about running out of things to tax...but as soon as I say that, they will come up with another!
You have a good day, and thanks for coming by!
Hey JoJo...
I am sure glad we can take the time to do a little cloud watching today...a good way to start the day!
Thanks for coming by, sweetie!
I think it's a great idea IN THEORY. Because we develop relationships in the blogosphere, we sort of assume that our "friend" wouldn't lead us astray. Even if our "friend" received a product and then felt pressured (because so many people struggle with wanting to be nice and being PERCEIVED as nice - something I find overrated) to write a bit more positive review than they might have if they'd purchased the product.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that said "thank you mommy.gov because we're all such pieces of crap that we can't police ourselves and need you to mandate this".
Sigh... back to my knitting and coffee.
Peace out!
Hey Meadowlark...
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea, in concept. That's why I put a disclaimer on the bottom of my blog...what I don't agree with is the constant meddling of the PTB in every aspect of our daily lives, ya know?
Hey, thanks for coming by today!
When I reviewed the Rokon, I didn't get anything but a whole afternoon of riding it. It would have been nice if they had given me one gratis. But at 4k plus, That's not a viable option. I'm still impressed with it. I'll be getting a 1099 from my adds anyway.
ReplyDeleteMakes You wonder about those feds though. Sounds like freebie envy to me.
I can see asking folks to let the their readers know of they've been paid to do a review...but imposing taxes and fines? And the language of the guidelines is so cloudy, it really doesn't explain what valuation is taxable/fineable or even under what circumstances a blogger must disclose remuneration for review.
ReplyDeleteIt basically doesn't differentiate between a chocolate chip cookie and a BMW.
Sigh.
Mister Hermit, sir, let's pool our resources and buy an island, start our own nation, and invite all these tax-monkeys to defenestrate themselves.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who has never been paid to blog or review anything, but that doesn't stop her trying)
I think our governement is a bit faster than Yours :-) I think taxes came on that as soon as some started to make some on their blogs :-)
ReplyDeleteSometimes whan I read people outside of Sweden complaining about their taxes I smile a bit. Sweden have the highest taxes in the world :-) :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.
Hey Dragom...
ReplyDeleteI think that it's pretty cool, and I haven't even been on one.
I don't think that most of us would really mind reporting a payment or a freebie, but it just seems ridiculous to force it on people. It does sound like envy a lot, doesn't it?
Thanks for coming by today.
Hey K...
I think sometimes that the government is just not happy unless they are involving themselves in some fashion in everything!
They have gone tax crazy, for sure!
I like the island idea, but with my resources, we will have to save for a long time!
Thanks for dropping in today, K.
Hey Christer...
I had heard that Sweden had some high taxes, but didn't know if that were true or not!
Guess they just move faster than we do here...
Hey, you have a good day, and thanks for coming by today!
Just another step down the slippery slope to the death of free speech...
ReplyDeleteHey Mayberry...
ReplyDeleteSeems to be getting more slippery each and every day, my friend!
Just a matter of time, I'm thinking!