I was so relieved last week to hear that I wasn't the only person to have some trouble formatting my new posts when I write a review. It was great to hear from all of you and to now know that I haven't been doing anything wrong (for the most part). I had wondered if there was an easier way but it appears that I'm getting the hang of it. Thanks so much for your responses every week. I've learned so much already and it's a great way to get different answers and opinions all in one place. You're awesome!This week I wanted to ask you about a topic that I only started to hear about yesterday but I found it confusing and disturbing. Apparently, starting December 1 the FTC will require disclosure on all products a blogger receives and reviews should they keep the product. Yes, that includes books. Otherwise we can send them back to the publisher or we can risk a fine of $11,000. We must also retain proof (receipts) of reviewing, returning, etc. Huh? This is just a brief summary of what I got out of it but there are plenty of people talking. I've listed some links below that include more details.
So what do you think? Have you heard any more accurate information on this topic? I have received ARCs but I always add where they came from. Will that be enough? Will they be able to enforce this and do you think it will affect how you do reviews? I can't wait to hear what you have to say. Please tell me more!
These blogs had some interesting posts and additional links about this topic.
Chasing Ray
Bites
At Home With Books
Cindy's Love of Books
A Garden of Books for Teens
Posts
I'm not sure about all of this, but I am going to make sure I state if I've read a review copy. I just don't see how the FTC thinks they can enforce this. I guess we'll have to see how it all plays out.
ReplyDeleteI heard a lot about this in the last few days as well. I'm hoping that the statement that I always put in a review stating that I received a copy from such and such will be sufficient. I can't imagine all of us sending books back to the publishers and I doubt paid reviewers have to do that. The part I was confused about was if we use Amazon Associate links is that okay as long as we disclose that yes we will receive money if a reader purchases the book through our link or if Amazon Associate links were just a big no no all together. I don't use them currently but I had been considering it. I really don't think the FTC will be able to go after individual bloggers so much but will be more working with companies to ensure that the bloggers they do business with understand and follow the new rules. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. I really can't see how any of this would be enforceable on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and so on.
ReplyDeleteI think things will have to get hammered out. I feel as long as we disclose our book source we'll be fine. From what I read this has more to do with folks that are getting big ticket items i.e. trips etc.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how this works into your taxes yet but I will hopefully find out. It never crossed my mind on this aspect of it at all.
I don't use Amazon Affiliates or anything of that nature. So I don't make any money from reviewing. Just the book they sent to me to review.
Because of this I've added a line to my reviews called Source. But, I really don't think they're going to bother with us getting ARCs. Like others said, I think it is the big ticket items.
ReplyDeleteI do use Amazon Assoc but don't make anything off of it, so I'm not too worried about it either.
GEE Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 reviewer must be shaking in her boots...LOL
ReplyDeleteI think the whole thing is ridiculous and I have no idea how it'll be enforced. I already disclose at the end of my reviews if it's a review copy, so I'm not worried about that part of it. I just think there are more important things our government should be focused on right now.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
And we Canadians will be watching to see how it affects us....
ReplyDelete