Neowin.net Policy for product reviews and promotions
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a stated guideline for media and bloggers who accept products of value and cash payments as quid pro quo for product mentions and reviews.
Writers for Neowin LLC are strictly compensated by Neowin LLC and are not paid in any fashion by third party vendors; nor are writers allowed to accept payment of any form for personal gain for promotion, advertising, recommendation, or opinions on products.
Hardware and software vendors often provide Neowin LLC writers products for review which is deemed necessary to cover these products. At the end of any product review (software or hardware) the product is returned to the vendor, donated to a public organization, or given away to Neowin LLC readers.
In some cases, a third party, representing a vendor, will provide Neowin LLC with products for review. In these cases, the third party is considered the vendor and all applicable rules still apply.
Some events that Neowin LLC attends may be sponsored events. In such cases, all rules regarding payment and promotion still apply. If travel, meal, and entertainment costs have been provided by the vendor, full disclosure will apply in associated articles.
Neowin LLC writers abide by these standards and work diligently to provide honest and un-influenced opinions. All vendors that are reviewed and represented understand that by reviewing, representing, or covering the costs for an event, does not guarantee, in any form, a positive refection of the event or product.