Comments on: FTC Regulations: What It Means For Bloggers That Get Free Stuff To Review http://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/ Ramped Blogging to Fire Your Boss Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:17:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Robb Suttonhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6556 Robb Sutton Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:13:58 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6556 That is my biggest fear behind the new rules. That is my biggest fear behind the new rules.

]]> By: Robb Suttonhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6555 Robb Sutton Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:13:04 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6555 Their argument is that the companies that own the newspapers and TV stations self regulate their people. We all know this isn't true...but it is the FTC's excuse. Their argument is that the companies that own the newspapers and TV stations self regulate their people. We all know this isn’t true…but it is the FTC’s excuse.

]]> By: Travel gear reviewerhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6553 Travel gear reviewer Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:42:24 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6553 One thing I don't get in all this is, what about print or TV reviewers? I know at least a dozen that get virtually everything for free in their niche: CDs, concert tickets, golf clubs, greens fees, a new car every two weeks, the equivalent of a new wardrobe every month or two, wine, etc. Why would bloggers be targeted and not any publication that reviews anything? Apart from Consumer Reports, who buys everything they write about? One thing I don’t get in all this is, what about print or TV reviewers? I know at least a dozen that get virtually everything for free in their niche: CDs, concert tickets, golf clubs, greens fees, a new car every two weeks, the equivalent of a new wardrobe every month or two, wine, etc. Why would bloggers be targeted and not any publication that reviews anything? Apart from Consumer Reports, who buys everything they write about?

]]> By: Sardar Mohkim Khanhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6531 Sardar Mohkim Khan Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:46:01 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6531 Sounds good, but this will have quite a drawback, primarily for blogger who have been providing quality reviews for products and as you said almost all the bloggers can not buy the devices and without a device at hand, there is nothing useful coming out except for the news that a particular device is coming out. I think overall it will prove pretty bad, and will leave the review for only a few recognized blogs out there. Sounds good, but this will have quite a drawback, primarily for blogger who have been providing quality reviews for products and as you said almost all the bloggers can not buy the devices and without a device at hand, there is nothing useful coming out except for the news that a particular device is coming out. I think overall it will prove pretty bad, and will leave the review for only a few recognized blogs out there.

]]> By: Robb Suttonhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6520 Robb Sutton Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:48:23 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6520 A friend of mine sent me this article that addresses some of that with an interview with an FTC representative. What the FTC guy says doesn't even really make sense.http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/13/792679/-FTC-idiocy A friend of mine sent me this article that addresses some of that with an interview with an FTC representative. What the FTC guy says doesn’t even really make sense.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/13/792679/-FTC-idiocy

]]> By: Elie Kochman on Business and Networking » New FTC Regulationshttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6519 Elie Kochman on Business and Networking » New FTC Regulations Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:27:04 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6519 [...] compensation for work done, you have to report that as income. Robb Sutton pointed out to me in his article, published yesterday, that in the U.S. this reporting is only required if the paying company [...] [...] compensation for work done, you have to report that as income. Robb Sutton pointed out to me in his article, published yesterday, that in the U.S. this reporting is only required if the paying company [...]

]]> By: Mikehttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6513 Mike Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:59:41 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6513 I'll probably be adding something to the footer of my site or on a TOS page. I found it all pretty unclear.Overall, I really agree with your opinion on the new FTC rules. The only thing that I really don't like is that it leaves out magazines and other print media that don't have disclose. That seems a little unfair to me. I’ll probably be adding something to the footer of my site or on a TOS page. I found it all pretty unclear.

Overall, I really agree with your opinion on the new FTC rules. The only thing that I really don’t like is that it leaves out magazines and other print media that don’t have disclose. That seems a little unfair to me.

]]> By: Elie Kochmanhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6508 Elie Kochman Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:33:44 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6508 Interesting. I wonder if it's the same way here in Canada. I'll check with my accountant. Interesting. I wonder if it’s the same way here in Canada. I’ll check with my accountant.

]]> By: Robb Suttonhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6507 Robb Sutton Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:21:04 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6507 Thanks Elie.According to my accountant...and the others I have spoke with...review product is only claimed under your taxes if the appropriate paperwork is provided by the review product company. Maybe that is what they are ultimately going to enforce.Without the paperwork, there is no way to attach value. Thanks Elie.

According to my accountant…and the others I have spoke with…review product is only claimed under your taxes if the appropriate paperwork is provided by the review product company. Maybe that is what they are ultimately going to enforce.

Without the paperwork, there is no way to attach value.

]]> By: Elie Kochmanhttp://robbsutton.com/ftc-regulations-what-it-means-for-bloggers-that-get-free-stuff-to-review/comment-page-1/#comment-6506 Elie Kochman Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:31:02 +0000 http://robbsutton.com/?p=2400#comment-6506 Another great article, Rob. The policy as it stands now is probably a good idea - if you're being compensated to make a review, let your readers know so that they can understand any bias you may have. On the other hand, this has the potential to get out of hand with excessive regulation. (Reporting what you are given to the government is not excessive, by the way. You technically have to report it already for tax purposes, though you may currently find it easy to get away without disclosing these "gifts".)As you said - we'll have to see how this plays out. Another great article, Rob. The policy as it stands now is probably a good idea – if you’re being compensated to make a review, let your readers know so that they can understand any bias you may have. On the other hand, this has the potential to get out of hand with excessive regulation. (Reporting what you are given to the government is not excessive, by the way. You technically have to report it already for tax purposes, though you may currently find it easy to get away without disclosing these “gifts”.)

As you said – we’ll have to see how this plays out.

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