The FTC just stated that if you are a blogger and you receive a payment or freebie (in my case a book) from a source (publishers, authors, etc..) you must now disclose on your blog that information.
So for example, if I received a book from a publisher or author, whether it is an ARC or any book, I must state for the record that I received it for free.
This goes into effect 12/1/09 and the FTC will fine for noncompliance.
Confused a bit?
Here is the official release.
Here is an easier to read summary.
Dear Author has talked about it (they already have their disclaimer up)
Katiebabs has talked about it.
Booksmugglers opinion
One more article in case you don’t have enough to read ;)
Wow, seriously? How did you even find out about this??
Never mind my tiredness kicking in, I'm off to read everyone else's posts on this.
This is crap!
HA – I know. Plus the entire thing with if it is a positive review then that counts as an endorsement, but not a negative – HUH?
So this is where I laugh and ask – how will they know, really really know? Unless they force publishers to submit the names of all the blogs they gave freebies/arcs to you can't keep track. Then what if the book blog decided for some reason they couldn't review the book b/c they hated it so instead of posting a bad review they pass it on to another blogger to read. What then? Free book hot potato…
As for me I have an "ARC" review category on my blog and a pretty picture labeling a book an ARC when the review goes up, does that clear me from future legal entanglements?
Thanks for the info Mandi!
Hmmm…I'm with Keira. I wonder too if labeling a review as an ARC is enough?
Not sure if you have to clarify you received the arc for "free"
In your ARC review category you could state "All ARC's are received as free"
Maybe? I don't know!
The government just has to get involved in everything, don't they? Thanks for the links.
Linking where I get review books is something I've already been doing, no matter if it's negative or positive. I have seen other bloggers doing it too.
I do think stating you received the ARCs for free is redundant. It's common knowledge to most that ARCs are not something you can purchase. They are given freely by the publishers.
I dunno..ugh my head hurts. ;)
Devil's advocate here: I don't mind so much the source aspect because that is interesting as a reader whether or not this is an ARC etc. I don't get it. So the FTC is going to regulate blogs but not social media profiles (not that I want them to geesh)…I see major holes for these "regulations." Hosting outside of the U.S. other review sites like for movies…? So if I changed my bk review blog to a movie review blog these rules wouldn't apply to me…WTH!
Does this mean print publication must be included in this like PW, People and Entertainment Weekly?
Better keep your book receipts everyone for evidence! Ugh.
I read this yesterday and went and put two things up at once, one was not needed I see now. But I will sure mention it in the future.
Of course even if it doesn't apply to me I will still do it.
I wonder how it's with a book a win at the authors site…