New FTC Rules (Guides) Are Really for Real!

The new FTC Rules (Guides) are in effect now! In fact, they went into effect December 1, 2009.

 What are they? Who do they affect? If you've got a website or blog, you must learn all you can about the new FTC Rules!

 

If you have a website that uses testimonials, these new guidelines restrict many types of testimonials you can use on your websites, especially if your websites are selling something. If you're using the wrong kind of testimonials, you could land on the wrong site of the Fed's fence.

Fortunately, Internet lawyer Mike Young and case studies expert Karl Barndt have teamed up to create a simple solution to this problem.

You can see it when you click my affiliate link right now...

Website Legal Forms Generator version 2.0

Yes, I'll get a commission if you make the wise decision to invest in this solution. However, I'm recommending this to you because I believe it is the right way to protect yourself when using testimonials.


Who does it affect?

It affects endorsements by organizations, celebrities, consumers, experts, material connections (affiliate compensation), testimonials, and bloggers.

Advertisements that use a consumer testimonial relating their experiences for a service or product, must disclose the outcome that actually happened to them or that can generally be expected. The term “results not typical” will no longer be acceptable.

“Material connections” or affiliate compensation usually in the form of payments or free products must be disclosed. This is sometimes called the affiliate compensation disclosure. This is true if you are a blogger or internet marketer.

Celebrity endorsers, under the new guides, must disclose their connection with advertisers (material connection – affiliate compensation) and not give unconfirmed or false statements about the product or service. Advertisers and endorsers may both be liable.

The effective date for these new guides was December 01, 2009.

How can you protect yourself, your blog and website? You can hire an attorney to draft the appropriate documents or use a software program to provide the correct documents. Either way, you should have certain documents on your website or blog. They include Terms and Conditions of Use, Privacy Policy, Anti-Spam Policy, External Links Policy, Earnings Disclaimer, Affiliate Agreement, Affiliate Compensation Disclosure (material connection) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Notice.

Remember, the FTC guides are to protect consumers. Be in compliance so you and others can enjoy your blog and website.

If you wish to view the entire regulations, please view the FTC and Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website links below.

Effective Date: December 01, 2009

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf

FTC Publishes Final Guides Governing Endorsements, Testimonials Changes Affect Testimonial Advertisements, Bloggers, Celebrity Endorsements

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Title 16: Commercial Practices PART 255—GUIDES CONCERNING USE OF ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS IN ADVERTISING

… 255.5 “Disclosure of material connections. … When there exists a connection between
the endorser and the seller of the advertised product that might materially …”

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=14055e58afb9046553e3ed2f75dc0e2e&rgn=div5&view=text&node=16:1.0.1.2.22&idno=16

Website Legal Forms Generator version 2.0 by Internet lawyer Mike Young is for bloggers and website owners who want to protect their sites.

To your success!

Richard Hale

P.S. It only takes one FTC lawsuit to bankrupt most Internet marketers. Don't become a victim. Fix your testimonials right now.