Overstock issues regulations on trademark keywords
9 June 2004
Overstock.com has taken measures to insure its affiliates are prevented from bidding on Overstock.com trademarks.
The firm sent an email to Overstock affiliates outlining certain new regulations. The communication, published by Search Engine Lowdown, states that: "Effective immediately, Overstock.com affiliates are not allowed to bid on any trademark related keywords in Pay per Click Search Engines (PPCSEs)."
The email also includes examples of keyword terms covered by the regulations, including overstock.com, overstock, overstocked.com, overstocks.com and overstockcom.
The statement from Overstock.com continued: "If you are bidding on any of these types of keyword terms, please stop by Friday, June 11, 2004. Failure to do so will result in a temporary suspension from our Affiliate Program. Once you are placed on temporary suspension, you will be out of the Overstock.com Affiliate Program for 14 days and ineligible to receive any commissions on the Overstock.com sales you generate during this term. After the 14 day term, you will have the opportunity to opt back in to the Overstock.com Affiliate Program if you have complied with the above request. A second violation of this policy will result in permanent termination from our Affiliate Program."
Overstock added that it was aware that the keywords in question often drive traffic on affiliates' sites and pledged to work with companies to find alternative ways "to maximize the partnership"
A number of companies have recently launched legal action against Google for breach of trademark, after the search giant allowed bidding on trademarked keywords.
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