FTC Required Disclosure
The FTC now requires bloggers to disclose what they’ve received for free.
I was about to say nothing when I remembered that I received a copy of H. Ward Classen’s A Practical Guide to Software Licensing for Licensees and Licensors. It took me so long to read and review that Ward probably regretted even having a copy sent to me. But I got it for free nonetheless. Oh, and if you want to send me something for free… I love freebies. Just remember that I’ll now disclose that I got it for free.
But I think the FTC’s missing a real opportunity for regulation. I think people who send out free things should disclose from whom they’re attempting an endorsement or comment. I’ll even go first because, frankly, I only send things to people I know and respect and who would actually have a use for what I’m sending. This, by the way, is also a great list of folks that you should be following/reading (in alpha order):
- Ken Adams
- Adam Ayer
- Rick Chapman
- H. Ward Classen
- Jim Geisman
- Eric Goldman
- Stephen Guth
- Victoria Pynchon
- Frank Scavo
- Brian Sommer
- Ray Wang
The Licensing Handbook Blog is the companion site to the Software Licensing Handbook. Covering licensing topics on a regular basis, Jeffrey Gordon attempts to offer advice, add humor and sometimes even a bit of wit to a practice that most people find abhorrent – namely, reading a contract from start to finish. Follow me on Twitter if you want up-to-the-minute information on contracting, licensing, negotiation and the law.
Comments
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"an invaluable guide to one of the software’s industry’s most maddening and, at times, controversial topics..."
-Rick Chapman, Editor Soft*Letter
"I would endorse Jeff's book. It is so great I wish I wrote it myself!"
-Jim Geisman, Owner Marketshare, Inc. -
