Accepting "gratuities" while on H1B can hurt my status ?

marlon2006

Registered Users (C)
I filed I140+I485+EAD+AP yesterday.

My concern:
In the last year, a giant software maker here in the region where I live every now and then invites me to participate in "usability studies" sessions.
Basically I provide feedback about software products for about an hour or so. In turn, the software maker let me select software packages of my choosing (gratuities). I just learned that the market price of those products are reported to IRS.

Since I am still on H1B, by accepting gratuities on usability studies do you think I am breaking the rules ? Is that considered illegal when on H1B ? I have no employment ties at all with the software maker and those are essentially gifts, not wages at all.
Please advise.
 
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