Comments on: Should Bidding on Trademark Terms in AdWords Be Illegal?

By: CPA Affiliates

CPA Affiliates — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:44:44 +0000

I think you should be able to BID on trademark terms. (I agree not being able to use the terms in ads etc..) BUT you have to treat it like property if I want to build right next to you and the property is for sale you can buy it or i can… same way on G U can buy the ad space or i can. its your choice. Honestly if you don't have the trademark term in the ad you will be paying a bunch anyways so if i want to waste my money buying up the land around you why not let me got down in flames ( or promote myself so much over your stuff people forget about yours) ultimately it should be allowed. you have to look at it as property not as the Trademarks Search page.

By: Brendon

Brendon — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:36:29 +0000

I think Google is actually helping customers who can actually buy after they find similar players and product in th e market

By: jasonkatzenback

jasonkatzenback — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:04:12 +0000

Your statement "Pepsi doesn't have ads with a big Coke on top and then Pepsi's phone number or web address listed." as that is not what I am stating at all.

If the advertiser could put the trademark term in the ad then yes your example would be legit, but you cant, you are only biding on the search results.

You also need to remember, that Google is just a big website and as such they should be able to decide who how advertisers are shown. A trademark rule would mean not being able to advertise on anything like sony, ford or any of those words... this would be a huge thing for most advertisers and Google. 99% of trademark owners that are aware of the issue, realize this it is only the few loud few that are stirring the pot.

Thats my opinion anyway.

By: CD Rates

CD Rates — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:35:50 +0000

Your example of comparing media advertising like print and TV isn't a direct comparison. With media you are competing for a limited time slot. With Google (and similar programs) you are competing for more of a wordslot. On TV, News you only see ads from people who are authorized to sell the product being advertised. Pepsi doesn't have ads with a big Coke on top and then Pepsi's phone number or web address listed.

I don't believe other companies should be able to bid on trademarked words. I certainly shouldn't have to pay more to have my ads on top for my trademarks. If it is left as is, a system could be put in place that for trademarked terms, the owner's ad is on top and charged the minimum bid. After all, you shouldn't receive free advertising either.

I believe Organic searches are a different animal. If you type Pepsi, it is very difficult to ascertain what the searcher wants, and they may or may not be searching for the official Pepsi website.

By: LP

LP — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:06:18 +0000

It's just a matter of time before Google is not allowed to make money on trademarks…I'm surprised its still allowed to happen and anyone that thinks this will go on forever is foolish.

By: Melody

Melody — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:07:14 +0000

I don't think people quite understand the importance and hard work that is placed into branding and securing the trademark for a top performing company. It seems unfair to jump on their coat tail without them knowing for personal profit…

By: viet blog hay

viet blog hay — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:06:10 +0000

I don't believe

By: Nishadha Silva

Nishadha Silva — Sun, 17 May 2009 07:52:27 +0000

While reading the first part of the post I felt a bit sad for FirePond. But as you said in the end if they didn't allow bidding you actually lose that ability to compare. So I voted yes

By: jasonkatzenback

jasonkatzenback — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:20:02 +0000

Actualy it does happen to me, I see the competitors bidding on Traffickahuna, portalfeeder and things like that. Those are products I own and I am ok with that… do I wish that they couldn't… absolutely not. The reason is I bid on a lot of trademark terms… in fact (heres a tip) some of my most profitable PPC terms are major store brands and store names I get from the yellow pages.

By: Miss Masters

Miss Masters — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:05:50 +0000

I guess it all depends on which side of the fence you are on. As a trademark term 'owner' (like this Audrey woman) of course you are going to be furious. However, it is true she can bid on her own trademark term and pay Google for better placement; but seriously if it I paid for the trade term JohnCow and I paid more than you did — you are saying you wouldn't be pissed off? If it the shoe were on the other foot, I would be …. so I guess I know how she feels.

I am not saying it is illegal, maybe just immoral to cash in on someone else's success?