FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials

Where they want the disclosures to be on the testimonial page needs to be defined. Can it be anywhere on the page or does it need to be in bold letters on the pictures? Standard compliance for a rebill order page is a short continuity disclosure above the submit button and a checkbox for T&C, most advertisers are not doing that, but at least they technically stated what is considered compliant.

What does "clearly disclose" actually mean to them?
 


this seems a little broader than what is being discussed here.

things like celebs needing to mention connection, blah blah blah. Doesn't strike me as affiliate centric AT ALL, though I do find the first bit confusing re: have to disclose what they can generally expect and can't simply note 'results not typical' - so what does that mean?

To me this seems like slight changes needed at most for those running many things - flogs not included.
 
the FTC actually started looking into this from the "pay-per-post" shit where bloggers where getting paid to write a positive post about a product. It was not an affiliate marketing thing at all. Once our attorneys talk to some folks that hopefully have some clear insight into this I will post what they tell us we need to do.

I guess all the free revw copy plz people will now have to add a disclaimer to their post or face the FTC!
 
the FTC actually started looking into this from the "pay-per-post" shit where bloggers where getting paid to write a positive post about a product. It was not an affiliate marketing thing at all. Once our attorneys talk to some folks that hopefully have some clear insight into this I will post what they tell us we need to do.

I guess all the free revw copy plz people will now have to add a disclaimer to their post or face the FTC!

much appreciated
 
TESTIMONIALS “Under the revised Guides, advertisements that feature a consumer and convey his or her experience with a product or service as typical when that is not the case will be required to clearly disclose the results that consumers can generally expect.”

has anyone actually done this on their LPs?
 
I don't know how the FTC can really enforce this without giving some type of guidelines that are not so broad. So can we just put a disclaimers page like we would a privacy policy and be fine? $11,000 seems kind of a broad number too as Coke for example could give a shit less about $11,000 for an advertising campaign where-as a small blogger would be bankrupted by this.

The United States is starting to over-regulate everything to the point that it is hurting the industry and loosing even more jobs in a time they should be trying to create jobs. I agree that the consumer needs protection but it is pretty one-sided on attacking the internet industry while late night informercials have been doing this shit for decades.

I agree we do need to start some type of lobby no matter the size even if we can pull in 500k a year for it through memberships that offer other things I think it could definitely work. I was talking about the same thing the other day with my AM at COPEAC. I would be all for getting something rolling when it comes to this if anyone is down. If you look at every other major industry such as health insurance and banking they go basically unregulated because of lobbying. I think it is time we at least get something small going to stay in their ear.
 
hate to tell you but its the FTC. No matter how gangster you try to act the federal government is a much larger and ruthless gangster. They will take everything you have if you don't pay up, that is if you aren't a major corporation or have pull in DC.
 
$11,000 per violation sounds like crap, but what constitutes a violation? Is that per person you sold (hence they were violated)? All we need is an $11,040 CPA rate and shit, I'd do it.
 
I'm pretty sure when they release the official "rules" there will be pretty clear guidelines & if not play that shit to your advantage.
 
hahaha, sling your rebills through me for 10% and ill bring you a suitcase of cash every few months
 
You pussies that run Flogger rebills brought it upon yourselves. Stop ur b!tchin!
 
These rules are just as much a joke as Clickbooths recent guideline "improvements".

Impossible fucking rules that are so broad it would be impossible to actually regulate it.

Why don't they make laws they can actually enforce, instead of putting every business, legit or not, at risk?

I mean seriously, the FTC rules are so fucking strict you could technically sue any online business you wanted too. No way in hell a business can be fully compliant with these type of rules.

Man, I fucking hate politics...
 
How about somebody tape record a call into them, ask them to speak to somebody who can help you understand the guidelines. If you DO manage to get the dumb fuck on the phone, show him/her your lander, record how confused the person is, have the entire comedy show go straight to YouTube as a way to show the world they themselves have no idea what they deem acceptable.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, tape recording someone without their consent is illegal in most states. I think in Vegas it's ok. Need someone there to do perhaps.