Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Free Report about Internet Market Segment Values
Click here for a free report which goes into great detail about how you can determine the value of an internet market segment in relation to your local market. It might surprise you on what you can learn about how you can easily rank on page one for some highly competitive keywords!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Typosquatting Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Google
Google Hit With Typosquatting Class Action
By Jason Lee Miller - Thu, 10/23/2008 - 3:40pm.
Asked to stop funding with AdSense
Harvard Business School professor Benjamin Edelman believes Google is profiting from and encouraging typosquatting by placing ads on trademark infringing made-for-AdSense websites. As co-counsel in a class action suit, Edelman suggests Google could be making money from a million domains or more.
Typosquatting is the practice of registering a domain that is an errant version of a popular website in order to gain traffic and ad clicks from people who misspell or mistype their intended domain. For example, one might type bankofamrica.com instead of bankofamerica.com. Typosquatting has been illegal in the States since 1999, and is considered trademark infringement in most countries.
In a recent report for McAfee, Edelman said more than 80,000 typosquatting domains for the top 2,000 websites, and singled out Google as the largest ad network contributing to the viability of these sites.
“The largest network in this space is Google, whose AdSense for Domains product and other domain-syndication products serve ads on more than 80 percent of the typosquatting sites recently uncovered by
SiteAdvisor technology,” Edelman wrote.
In that same report, freecreditreport.com was the most targeted, with 742 typosquatting domains registered, followed by cartoonnetwork.com (kids’ sites are often targeted) with 327, youtube.com with 320, craigslist.org with 318, and Google’s own blogspot.com with 276.
In an article for The Harvard Crimson, Edelman low-ball estimated a million sites earning $25 per year for the owners, meaning Google was likely charging between $32-$50, equaling at least $32 million annual gross for Google. Edelman believes it could be more (it could also be less, though).
Because of the range of companies indicated with possible trademark infringement cases, the suit has been filed as a class action. “We believe class action adjudication is the most efficient way to resolve these companies’ complaints,” Edelman said in The Crimson. “It would be unreasonably complicated, costly, and time-consuming for all trademark holders to sue separately.”
If Google were to abandon the typosquatting industry, he argues, it could be far less of a problem. In a standard statement to the press, Google has said the lawsuit’s claims are “baseless” and that the company would fight the suit vigorously.
If all true, it’s interesting Google would be so lax in dealing with typosquatting domainers. For all the company’s noble efforts to fight other shady practices like malware—most definitely a concern with squatters—various link spam techniques (and paid links certainly), and deceptive marketing tactics, aiding and profiting from typosquatting would be a definite stain on the company’s overall reputation.
The source of this information is from here.
By Jason Lee Miller - Thu, 10/23/2008 - 3:40pm.
Asked to stop funding with AdSense
Harvard Business School professor Benjamin Edelman believes Google is profiting from and encouraging typosquatting by placing ads on trademark infringing made-for-AdSense websites. As co-counsel in a class action suit, Edelman suggests Google could be making money from a million domains or more.
Typosquatting is the practice of registering a domain that is an errant version of a popular website in order to gain traffic and ad clicks from people who misspell or mistype their intended domain. For example, one might type bankofamrica.com instead of bankofamerica.com. Typosquatting has been illegal in the States since 1999, and is considered trademark infringement in most countries.
In a recent report for McAfee, Edelman said more than 80,000 typosquatting domains for the top 2,000 websites, and singled out Google as the largest ad network contributing to the viability of these sites.
“The largest network in this space is Google, whose AdSense for Domains product and other domain-syndication products serve ads on more than 80 percent of the typosquatting sites recently uncovered by
SiteAdvisor technology,” Edelman wrote.
In that same report, freecreditreport.com was the most targeted, with 742 typosquatting domains registered, followed by cartoonnetwork.com (kids’ sites are often targeted) with 327, youtube.com with 320, craigslist.org with 318, and Google’s own blogspot.com with 276.
In an article for The Harvard Crimson, Edelman low-ball estimated a million sites earning $25 per year for the owners, meaning Google was likely charging between $32-$50, equaling at least $32 million annual gross for Google. Edelman believes it could be more (it could also be less, though).
Because of the range of companies indicated with possible trademark infringement cases, the suit has been filed as a class action. “We believe class action adjudication is the most efficient way to resolve these companies’ complaints,” Edelman said in The Crimson. “It would be unreasonably complicated, costly, and time-consuming for all trademark holders to sue separately.”
If Google were to abandon the typosquatting industry, he argues, it could be far less of a problem. In a standard statement to the press, Google has said the lawsuit’s claims are “baseless” and that the company would fight the suit vigorously.
If all true, it’s interesting Google would be so lax in dealing with typosquatting domainers. For all the company’s noble efforts to fight other shady practices like malware—most definitely a concern with squatters—various link spam techniques (and paid links certainly), and deceptive marketing tactics, aiding and profiting from typosquatting would be a definite stain on the company’s overall reputation.
The source of this information is from here.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Trademark infringement in PPC is a growing problem on content networks and major search engines
Click Forensics Launches Trademark Abuse Reporting
Click Forensics has introduced a new feature for its advertisers, which allows them to identify, and track organizations that unlawfully use trademarked names for search marketing campaigns.
The new feature produces updated reports on possible trademark abusers who use well-know brand names to generate Pay Per Click (PPC) traffic. Companies can use the new feature to take action to protect intellectual property and their own search marketing investments.
Trademark infringement in PPC is a growing problem on content networks and major search engines such as Google, Yahoo! And MSN. Perpetrators regularly register domains containing well-known brand names and then display ads on them to generate traffic and PPC ad revenue. Internet users often see the results when mistyping a Web site URL and then find themselves on a different Web site with lots of ads and pop-ups.
The Trademark Use report works by flagging registered domains using trademarked names. Similar to a spam filter, Click Forensics for Advertisers generates regular updates on new sites committing click fraud, trademark infringement or those sending bad traffic to clients and members.
"The impact of trademark infringement in search advertising goes beyond consumer annoyance," said Paul Pellman, CEO of Click Forensics.
"It's affecting the advertising budgets of major brands as they're forced to spend more money to get the high-quality search traffic that is rightly theirs. We're helping to change that by giving brands a tool they can use to fight back."
The original source for this post came from an article Mike Sachoff of Web Pro News wrote on 10/9/2008.
Click Forensics has introduced a new feature for its advertisers, which allows them to identify, and track organizations that unlawfully use trademarked names for search marketing campaigns.
The new feature produces updated reports on possible trademark abusers who use well-know brand names to generate Pay Per Click (PPC) traffic. Companies can use the new feature to take action to protect intellectual property and their own search marketing investments.
Trademark infringement in PPC is a growing problem on content networks and major search engines such as Google, Yahoo! And MSN. Perpetrators regularly register domains containing well-known brand names and then display ads on them to generate traffic and PPC ad revenue. Internet users often see the results when mistyping a Web site URL and then find themselves on a different Web site with lots of ads and pop-ups.
The Trademark Use report works by flagging registered domains using trademarked names. Similar to a spam filter, Click Forensics for Advertisers generates regular updates on new sites committing click fraud, trademark infringement or those sending bad traffic to clients and members.
"The impact of trademark infringement in search advertising goes beyond consumer annoyance," said Paul Pellman, CEO of Click Forensics.
"It's affecting the advertising budgets of major brands as they're forced to spend more money to get the high-quality search traffic that is rightly theirs. We're helping to change that by giving brands a tool they can use to fight back."
The original source for this post came from an article Mike Sachoff of Web Pro News wrote on 10/9/2008.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Company Loses Competitor Keywords In Metatags Dispute
Company Loses Competitor Keywords In Metatags Dispute
By Jason Lee Miller - Mon, 09/08/2008 - 5:30pm.
Judge rules use in commerce
In a reversal of what is generally considered the real world and what is virtual, metatags suddenly matter in a court of law, even if they haven’t mattered online for some time now. For one defendant, they matter as much as just under a half-million dollars matters.
Dropping keywords into the metatags of a website is an old school SEO technique. And by old school I mean pre-googlistoric. Stuffing metatags in the age of Google, which ignores them, is about as useful as peacock feathers on an armadillo.
Even so, McGills Glass Warehouse owes Venture Tape Corp. $426, 487 in damages in and attorney fees (not to mention five years of its own litigation costs) because they dropped Venture Tape’s trademark in the metatags, dressed in white on white, which did basically nothing to drive to traffic to the website.
A competitor’s trademark as a keyword in the metatag is intended to lure competitor traffic. White text on white background is an attempt to hide the practice. This last element, at least in part, seems to be what really stuck in the judge’s craw.
In addition, the judge decided using trademark keywords counts as a use in commerce, which has been debated for some time, and that McGills had satisfied 7 out of 8 conditions in determining infringement, the remaining unsatisfied condition being one of actual consumer confusion—apparent intent to confuse would seem to suffice.
Despite what happens in the courts eventually (it’s not looking good for defendants, though), blawger Eric Goldman, who’s written extensively on the trademark in metatags issue, advises webmasters just to steer clear of the practice. Too big a risk for so little reward.
This article has been copied in its entirety from this WebProNews location http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/09/08/company-loses-competitor-keywords-in-metatags-dispute
By Jason Lee Miller - Mon, 09/08/2008 - 5:30pm.
Judge rules use in commerce
In a reversal of what is generally considered the real world and what is virtual, metatags suddenly matter in a court of law, even if they haven’t mattered online for some time now. For one defendant, they matter as much as just under a half-million dollars matters.
Dropping keywords into the metatags of a website is an old school SEO technique. And by old school I mean pre-googlistoric. Stuffing metatags in the age of Google, which ignores them, is about as useful as peacock feathers on an armadillo.
Even so, McGills Glass Warehouse owes Venture Tape Corp. $426, 487 in damages in and attorney fees (not to mention five years of its own litigation costs) because they dropped Venture Tape’s trademark in the metatags, dressed in white on white, which did basically nothing to drive to traffic to the website.
A competitor’s trademark as a keyword in the metatag is intended to lure competitor traffic. White text on white background is an attempt to hide the practice. This last element, at least in part, seems to be what really stuck in the judge’s craw.
In addition, the judge decided using trademark keywords counts as a use in commerce, which has been debated for some time, and that McGills had satisfied 7 out of 8 conditions in determining infringement, the remaining unsatisfied condition being one of actual consumer confusion—apparent intent to confuse would seem to suffice.
Despite what happens in the courts eventually (it’s not looking good for defendants, though), blawger Eric Goldman, who’s written extensively on the trademark in metatags issue, advises webmasters just to steer clear of the practice. Too big a risk for so little reward.
This article has been copied in its entirety from this WebProNews location http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/09/08/company-loses-competitor-keywords-in-metatags-dispute
Friday, July 18, 2008
Intellectual Property - Protect Your Intellectual Work and Creations
The first step to protecting your intellectual property is to identify what you can protect, and how to protect it.
Intellectual Property includes Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents.
Trademark
* Protect your business name and logo
* Prevent others from damaging your brand
* Requires use in commerce
Copyright
* Secure ownership with U.S. Patent Office
* Prevent unauthorized use or manufacturing
* Offered for both utility and design inventions
Patent
* Protect your original creative work
* Prevent unauthorized reproduction
* Does not require use in commerce
Intellectual Property includes Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents.
Trademark
* Protect your business name and logo
* Prevent others from damaging your brand
* Requires use in commerce
Copyright
* Secure ownership with U.S. Patent Office
* Prevent unauthorized use or manufacturing
* Offered for both utility and design inventions
Patent
* Protect your original creative work
* Prevent unauthorized reproduction
* Does not require use in commerce
Estate Planning & Family Services - Protect Your Assests - Protect Your Family
Estate Planning & Family Services
Wills
Living Will
* Specifies wishes for artificial life support
* Not used to distribute property
* Includes free healthcare power of attorney
Living Trust
* Transfers property faster than a last will
* Includes free pour-over last will and testament
* Does not usually require probate
Power of Attorney (POA)
A Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to manage important financial and legal matters on your behalf. You can choose to have it take effect immediately or only go into effect in the event of illness or incapacitation.
Common uses for a Power of Attorney include authorizing someone to handle a complex legal transaction or manage your financial affairs while you’re on vacation.
Name Change
* Legally change your name
* Complete document preparation
* Quick and easy filing
Divorce
Divorce doesn't have to be complicated or costly. If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide property and resolve any child-related issues, you can file what's known as an uncontested divorce.
An uncontested divorce does not require an attorney and moves much faster through the court system, saving you time, money and stress. In many cases, you may not even need to appear before a judge.
Small Claims
Wills
Living Will
* Specifies wishes for artificial life support
* Not used to distribute property
* Includes free healthcare power of attorney
Living Trust
* Transfers property faster than a last will
* Includes free pour-over last will and testament
* Does not usually require probate
Power of Attorney (POA)
A Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to manage important financial and legal matters on your behalf. You can choose to have it take effect immediately or only go into effect in the event of illness or incapacitation.
Common uses for a Power of Attorney include authorizing someone to handle a complex legal transaction or manage your financial affairs while you’re on vacation.
Name Change
* Legally change your name
* Complete document preparation
* Quick and easy filing
Divorce
Divorce doesn't have to be complicated or costly. If you and your spouse can agree on how to divide property and resolve any child-related issues, you can file what's known as an uncontested divorce.
An uncontested divorce does not require an attorney and moves much faster through the court system, saving you time, money and stress. In many cases, you may not even need to appear before a judge.
Small Claims
Where to Start - Forming a Business - Business Legal Services
What is the best legal set-up for your business? These are some of the common characteristics of legal business entities:
Read more about the types of legal business structures here.
Incorporation
* Personal liability protection
* Taxed at corporate and individual level
* Formal meetings and record-keeping required
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
* Same liability protection as a corporation
* No corporate tax, profits passed directly to owners
* Fewer corporate formalities required
Doing Business As (DBA)
* Not a formal business structure
* Required to legally conduct business under a trade name
* Minimal maintenence required
Read more about the types of legal business structures here.
Incorporation
* Personal liability protection
* Taxed at corporate and individual level
* Formal meetings and record-keeping required
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
* Same liability protection as a corporation
* No corporate tax, profits passed directly to owners
* Fewer corporate formalities required
Doing Business As (DBA)
* Not a formal business structure
* Required to legally conduct business under a trade name
* Minimal maintenence required
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