FTC laying down the hammer.
by Mike Guindon on Oct.20, 2009, under General
photo credit: Andifeelfine
I’m sure you’re all aware of the new “guidelines” going into effect as of Dec 1st, 2009 (if not go here to read about it). These new guidelines make it incredibly confusing for us internet marketers. WSJ online tries to sum it up and here is an excerpt:
“There are also practical objections. For example, if you get a free copy of a book and then post a comment about it on Twitter, how many of the permitted 140 characters must be dedicated to the disclosure? Do employees of a company have to disclose the fact of their employment every time they comment on its products through their personal Facebook accounts?”
Read the full article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704500604574480942272744448.html
Shoemoney also has a good post up about the subject here: http://www.shoemoney.com/2009/10/08/what-you-dont-know-about-the-new-ftc-rules-on-disclosure
I personally find it confusing and retarded! I can understand their need to try to weed out all the fake advertising going on but I think they’re going a little to far with this one and I hope they take it back a few notches or at least put CLEAR and UNDERSTANDABLE rules in place and not the “vague” rules that are about to go into effect.
Mikey.
