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Can Disclosure Prevent Me From Being Sued?

May 20, 2009 By

Stonegate walk - honesty jarWe all know that celebrities endorse products, but we don’t really know if they use them.  Mom bloggers that post reviews use the product.  It does become an advertisement, but above all it is a review.

Are you aware that the FTC is trying to decide if review blogs are “violation of good business practices”?  In April 09 an article was posted on the ABC site titled Parenting Blogs May Be Held Liable for Product Reviews.

Until I find out what is going on I’m taking the following steps:

  1. have a disclosure on my blog using the template from DisclosurePolicy.org,
  2. make sure I disclose if I was given a free product to try or paid for the review,
  3. clearly state if I’m quoting someone else, and
  4. be honest about how the product worked or didn’t work.

There is some more great information at Mama Saga.

If you are a reviewer keep your ear to the ground to find out what happens with the FTC and review blogs.

Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: , ,
About Jendi

Jendi Pagano lives in PA with her husband, stays busy homeschooling her 3 children, and tries to make sure the animals get fed. Her daily life blog is Jendi's Journal and tweets @jendisjournal. She started making online videos, quickly became addicted, and now actively video blogs, creates formal videos, records live events, and creates & markets videos for clients. She launched Simple Vlogging Tips to help other new vloggers. She formed Scenes and Cinema, LLC. for her work as a Videographer, Social Media Director, Writer, and Virtual Assistant with an emphasis on video marketing & creation.

Comments

  1. Andrea - Mommas Review says:
    May 20, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    I actually heard somewhere that a “disclosure” (mostly the term) can harm your page rank. It may have been a rumor. But it is something to think about.

    Andrea – Mommas Review´s last blog post..One Week – One Room: FLOR Giveaway

  2. Debbie says:
    May 21, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Thank you for this info. I’ve been hearing the rumors – and have only done a few reviews – but like knowing how to handle this. Maybe it’d hurt some page ranking – but there are always folks looking for reviews & giveaways – so knowing how to prepare is really important!

  3. Erin Hill says:
    May 21, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    I heard about the FTC and Mommy Bloggers. That will change things a lot!

    Erin Hill´s last blog post..Positive Person Of The Week: Tough Guy With A Big Heart

  4. Danielle says:
    May 24, 2009 at 12:06 am

    I think it is a good idea to let people know whether you were paid for a review anyway. It is just the right thing to do. I definitely think the FTC needs to stay out of our blogs!

  5. Casual Friday Every Day says:
    May 27, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Can’t be too careful.

    Nell

    Casual Friday Every Day´s last blog post..You Capture: Famiglia

  6. Felicia - I Complete Me says:
    June 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    I have been hearing so much about this. Since I want to do some reviews I have decided to look into getting a disclosure up on my blog.

    Felicia – I Complete Me´s last blog post..Get Fit Friday – Pole Dancing

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