Monday, October 05, 2009

Plus, I Got a Bookmark. Sometimes, a Button

The long awaited updated Guides from the Federal Trade Commission are almost here!

Per the FTC website, FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials.

A PDF is available: 16 C.F.R. Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising: Notice Announcing Adoption of Revised Guides.

It's 81 pages. Read it yourself.

In a nutshell, I think it's best for book reviewers to note on the individual post if the book (whether final version or ARC) came from a publisher, publicist, or author for the purposes of reviewing it or posting about it on a blog. I say individual post, because I think its best to assume that a reader could be someone who never read your blog before and never will again so does not see that sidebar, or want to click on a tab, etc. That is solely my opinion, nothing more nor less.

There is a lot in the 81 pages to debate, discuss, and disagree with. But at the end of the day, it's the FTC; and I don't think a short disclosure hurts the blogger.

Edited To Add: A must-read interview by Ed Champion with Richard Cleland of the FTC at Edward Champion's Reluctant Habits. Wow, wow, wow. If you don't get review copies from publishers but are an Amazon Affiliate? Read this interview. Also, I want to know how publishers feel about all the books we're supposed to mail back to them. Who pays for that?

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

1 comment:

Alison (Alison's Book Marks) said...

I have to admit, I don't think it's a bad idea that book bloggers let their readers know where the books came from. I'm a big believer in full disclosure. That being said, whether I receive the book from an author, publisher, or from the library, it has absolutely no influence in my reviews. I think our readers just need to know that they aren't reading a press release.


Still, I feel like I should start adding that note to my reviews now, so I get in the habit prior to December 1st.

Thanks for posting!