In order to avoid trouble with the FTC, bloggers are encouraged to publish a Disclosure Policy. Think of it as me divulging all the ways I don't make money with this blog...
Disclosure Policy
This weblog is a personal blog written and edited by me, Louis Rosas-Guyon III. I write this blog for my own purposes. However, I fully admit that I may be influenced by my background, occupation, travels, religion, political affiliation or experience...because that's where opinions come from.
My relationship with my clients is based on trust. I wish to make it clear that I am bound by Confidentiality Agreements with most my customers and am therefore not in a position to reveal details regarding specific work performed. I shall endeavor to protect the rights of my customers at all times. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.
I will occasionally hawk my own products which you are completely welcome to ignore. I will do everything in my power not to drive readers away with shameless, disgusting degrees of self-promotion. Your attention is valuable and I have no desire to abuse your trust.
Third party compensation is from Amazon.com sales commissions on products I endorse. These will always be clearly labeled by an Amazon.com advertisement for the recommended product. Money will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. If there other affiliate links, there will be a Disclosure Notice on the same page.
I am not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites or any other topic. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. I will only endorse those products or services that I believe (based on my expertise) are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I will always do my best to provide you with reliable information.
I do collect personal information on this blog such as the opinions of individuals who comment, names and/or email addresses of commenter's and other information released by commenters as provided by this blog site. This blog as hosted by Blogger, a subsidiary of Google which collects information regardless of my personal preference. I may use this information at my discretion excepting where any use of said information may be in violation of one of any number of misunderstood, confusing or otherwise incomplete state or federal regulations governing the use of personal information including but not limited to email, instant messaging, mailing, advertising, marketing, going to the market, being advertised to, being mailed, emailed, called, instant messaged or just looked at funny.
I hope this clarifies my position.
This policy is valid from 19 October 2009.
For questions about this blog, please contact Louis Rosas-Guyon louis (at) r2computing.com.
You can get your own policy at DisclosurePolicy.org
You forgot the personal information use part pf the policy:
ReplyDelete"I do collect personal information on this blog such as the opinions of individuals who comment, names and/or email addresses of commenters and other information released by commenters as provided by this blog site. This blog as hosted by Blogger, a subsidiary of Google collects this information regardless of my personal perference. I may use this information at my discretion excepting where any use of said information may be in violation of one of any number of misunderstood, confusing or otherwise incomplete state or federal regulations governing the use of personal information including but not limited to email, instant messaging, mailing, advertising, marketing, going to the market, being advertised to, being mailed, emailed, called, instant messaged or just looked at funny."
Perhaps it is time that the FTC concentrate on such things as overseas phishing emails and trade scams rather than home-grown bloggers that happen to monetize their own blogs for a few pennies a month.
Last I checked, the Nigerans are still in business and so are the countless bank fraud groups and other phishing scams being run out of non-extradition countries.
Thanks Chris! I just updated my Disclosure Policy to include your language. I completely forgot about separating myself from Google.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, this is exactly the kind of useless government policy that is such a nuisance. Like you said, the FTC is worrying about pennies while the real crooks are stealing millions.
I appreciate your assistance. It's sad when Tech Types have to be lawyers too.
I personaly think that the whole disclosure policy is silly. If you think back to the early/mid 80's when the "disclaimer" on all the BBS's was the rage and yet had absolutely zero worth in federal court, what was the benefit to that? I'm sure someone, somewhere, somehow will ultimately say "But that isn't really legal enough and there's a loophole" and here comes the IRS to sweep in and collect 28% on that $2.21 you made through Google AsSense.
ReplyDeleteSad when that appears to be the direction this whole thing is going. Give it a couple years and there will be a disclaimer on every Abercrombie and Fitch branded hoodie sold in America that reads "I like these clothes, but I am not paid to endorse the company who's clothing line I am wearing" or some such stupidity.
LOL! I see a whole line of clothes including complete Disclosure Statements printed on them. It could be all the rage in law schools.
ReplyDeleteAs per my attorney, a Disclosure Policy is a nice for PR but is utterly worthless in court. He explained that if I decide to blast someone on my blog, they can still sue me, regardless of any published policies. Bloggers beware!
Also, I opted out of ads (other than a charity ad on this blog's home page) because the revenue wasn't worth the grief. I never planned for this blog to be a revenue center. The real benefit I derive from this blog is the opportunity to crystallize my thinking on subjects that impact my industry and customers.
The other reason I dropped the ads was exactly because of the IRS reporting hassles. It's not worth it.
Always good hearing from you Chris. Your insights are appreciated.