Comments on: The unethics of the FTC regulation http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/ historical romance on the blog Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:08:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Tris http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9969 Tris Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:01:57 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9969 I've read so much about this and the whole internet is going bananas about it. I myself was quite worried until I realized this only applies to USA. How will they know if a blogger is American or not? =/ I’ve read so much about this and the whole internet is going bananas about it. I myself was quite worried until I realized this only applies to USA. How will they know if a blogger is American or not? =/

]]> By: Sarah Anderson http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9967 Sarah Anderson Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:08:32 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9967 CM-- How would I ever know anything without you? This whole thing is Silly with a capital S. The internet was founded on the principal of buyer beware. Are they next going to regulate people who post ten-years-out-of-date photos on Match.com? I've got better things to do. Thanks for breaking it down so a peon like me could understand it. Sarah CM–
How would I ever know anything without you?

This whole thing is Silly with a capital S. The internet was founded on the principal of buyer beware. Are they next going to regulate people who post ten-years-out-of-date photos on Match.com? I’ve got better things to do.

Thanks for breaking it down so a peon like me could understand it.

Sarah

]]> By: Rachel from Bitten by Books http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9966 Rachel from Bitten by Books Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:15:33 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9966 Thanks Courtney!! Thanks Courtney!!

]]> By: Courtney Milan http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9965 Courtney Milan Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:57:41 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9965 Rachel, They had taken down the PDF when I first posted this. It is back now: http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf Rachel,

They had taken down the PDF when I first posted this. It is back now: http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf

]]> By: Courtney Milan http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9964 Courtney Milan Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:57:06 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9964 That may be the case, but if so, the FTC did a very poor job of expressing that in its regulation. It specifically says that anyone who accepts items for free, and who regularly reaches the targeted community, creates a "sponsorship" relationship. Even if the FTC chooses not to exercise its prosecutorial discretion as to this particular instance, the fact that it is literally covered by their examples suggests that the regulation is substantially overbroad, and extraordinarily chilling. That may be the case, but if so, the FTC did a very poor job of expressing that in its regulation. It specifically says that anyone who accepts items for free, and who regularly reaches the targeted community, creates a “sponsorship” relationship.

Even if the FTC chooses not to exercise its prosecutorial discretion as to this particular instance, the fact that it is literally covered by their examples suggests that the regulation is substantially overbroad, and extraordinarily chilling.

]]> By: Rachel from Bitten by Books http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9963 Rachel from Bitten by Books Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:55:42 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9963 Hi there! Can you please provide us a link to where you are quoting the FTC? Thanks! Rachel Hi there!

Can you please provide us a link to where you are quoting the FTC?

Thanks!

Rachel

]]> By: mom101 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2009/10/05/the-unethics-of-the-ftc-regulation/comment-page-1/#comment-9962 mom101 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:54:13 +0000 http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/?p=910#comment-9962 Found this through a twitter link - it brings up some interesting points. But my sense, having read the whole FTC document and participated on some panels about this is that the FTC is looking for cases in which revealing that the item was received for free would influence the credibility of the review. I don't think this is primarily the case with book reviewers - isn't it generally presumed that they have some relationships with authors and publisher? And that just because the book came free doesn't guarantee a glowing review? It can also probably be resolved with a blanket disclosure policy on site. I'd say rest easy and keep doing what you do. I wish you luck! Found this through a twitter link – it brings up some interesting points. But my sense, having read the whole FTC document and participated on some panels about this is that the FTC is looking for cases in which revealing that the item was received for free would influence the credibility of the review. I don’t think this is primarily the case with book reviewers – isn’t it generally presumed that they have some relationships with authors and publisher? And that just because the book came free doesn’t guarantee a glowing review?

It can also probably be resolved with a blanket disclosure policy on site.

I’d say rest easy and keep doing what you do. I wish you luck!

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