Microsoft Adcenter takes a stance on Trademark Terms and Bidding

3 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on August 30, 2007 in Affiliate Information, PPC, MSN Search  

To my surprise and delight I got an email from MSN adcenter today concerning bidding and using trademark terms. (cough Google… I hope your listening) The stance from my point of view is in favor of publishers and puts the responsibility where it is back on the trademark owners and not using the Search engines to police their trademark for them. The Official email:

Microsoft adCenter is changing the way we manage our trademark policy starting September 10, 2007. While no change will be made to the trademark policy itself, this update aligns better with marketplace practices, speeds up editorial review to get your ads live faster, and ensures consumers see relevant ads.

Microsoft adCenter’s Trademark Policy

As stated above, we are not changing the trademark policy itself. You may still use trademarked terms
in your ads  when you, as the advertiser, are the owner of the trademark, an affiliate or reseller of trademarked products or services, or a site that uses the trademarked term in an informational,
descriptive, or non-competitive manner. Infringing use of trademark terms by direct competitors remains a violation of Microsoft adCenter policies. 

What’s changing?

It will now be the advertiser’s responsibility to obtain permission from the trademark owner to use a trademarked term in their ads. It will also be the trademark owner’s responsibility to address ongoing
incorrect usage of their trademark term(s) directly with third-party advertisers.  Microsoft adCenter will no longer intercede to obtain permission for the advertiser wanting to use a trademarked term. 

What does this mean for my search advertising?

Your ads may display next to other ads that contain your trademarked terms.
Affiliates, resellers, and third parties may show up against queries for your trademarked terms.
Competitor’s ads may show up in search results against queries for trademarks in certain scenarios, due to match types other than exact.

For example, if a generic term is included in the overall search query, advertisers who bid on the generic term may show up in the search results.

If you are a trademark owner and you believe your trademark is being misused in Microsoft adCenter, you can submit a report by following the instructions on our Trademark Concern Form.

Sounds like good news for publishers/affiliates when it comes to bidding on trademark terms. While I agree using trademark terms without persmission is bad but there is no reason that for instance a Target ad shouldn’t show up when someone is searching for Wal-mart.

Google & Performics and I am Taking the Weekend off!

1 Person Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on April 20, 2007 in Affiliate Information, Google  

Well it has been a whirl wind week for me. Had some server issues and trying to get some sites ramped up and going, thus had very little time to post. But i did catch a very interesting post about Google and Performics on the Pepperjam blog. What is Googles motives are they going to dissolve Performics…. Find out by reading the Post here.  and you can read my comments on the post their. Also i am taking the weekend off and Going to Celebrate my Birthday!!!

Elite Retreat San Francisco Recaps

1 Person Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on March 19, 2007 in Affiliate Information, Elite Retreat  

Elite RetreatAs Many of yall know I attended the First Elite Retreat, I am sure i will attend others in the future, but I am still to busy implementing things from the first Elite Retreat to attend this one. But i was searching the internet and came across two blogs that are updating with some of the information they are sharing at the Elite Retreat. So far Jeremy Schoemaker and Neil Patel have spoken.  Of course they aren’t giving the real goods in their updates, but maybe even the blog tidbits will spur on some new ideas, or maybe it will tease you enough that you go to the next one (More than worth the money).

So check out the Elite Retreat San Francisco Recaps on PepperJams Blog and Emomsathome Blog.

Why are You Working Online?

12 People Speaking Their Mind - Put In Your Two Cents!

Posted on March 4, 2007 in Affiliate Information, Working Online  

Why are you working online? Doesn’t get much simplier than that.

Just curious as to why some of yall are doing work online? 

Are you just trying to make an extra buck in your spare time?

Do you Hope to make a living working online full time?

You already make a living online but enjoy your day job to much to quit?

You are making a living online and plan to do so in the future?

You are making a living online but thinking of going back to your day job?

You are after a quick buck and heard you can do that online?

You are doing it just for fun and what little money you get is just a bonus?

I am curious as to why some of you guys and gals that read my blog as to why you do what you do online. I personnally do it as a full time job and love it as a full time job. I plan to NEVER go back to a  9 to 5 B&M (Brick & Mortar) type job ( I was an Electrical Engineer). There is too much freedom with working online and for yourself. I can work anywhere there is internet, could be my home, Starbucks, my relatives in another state etc.. Plus there is Money to be made and not just money but if you do it right you can make a LOT of money online. This can be done part-time or full-time. I also enjoy the freedom of knowing if i need run errands with my wife, I can.  I don’t have to ask anyone if i want to go on vacation or call in if i am sick. I guess 2nd to the money is the freedom for me.

So why do you work online? Leave a comment and tell us why.

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