trademarks in display URLS

[Spudstr]

Alright so in recent changes.. probably around a month ago googles been cracking down on trademark terms.. recently in the display text and then later into the display URL.

problem is as an affiliate marketer now a days if a company has their name trademarked.. google catches it and says "no trademark" what other options do we have? besides just requesting "i'm an affiliate so let me use it int he display URL"

? thanks all.

[fischermx]

Is that for all trademarks?
I don't think so, I use several trademarks for software products in my tech directory to send people there.
I'm using the trademark in the ad title and description.

[Spudstr]

but when did you make that add? try making a new campain with a new ad text and see if you get the same error. i get it in the ad text and display URL and the header.

[patient2all]

Google can't possibly know about every trademarked term. I believe the trademark owner sends a cease and desist letter to Google and says their trademark cannot appear without authorization. So it depends on the particular term. That's my layperson explanation since I have the same issue, trouble with some but not others

Smarter people care to comment?

patient2all

[Spudstr]

well ok instance

"widget" it trademarked and/or "widget.com" is trademarked... and you are an affiliate of widget.com thi s is preventing you from using their links in search.. why would 1 company only want themselfs to market on PPC? i know for the company i work for theres a handfull of other people marketing our stuff with different words that we might not of used.

so in short being "widget" in the display URL which is the url your links end up in the end at.. doesn't this prevent us from marketing on adwords?

[Paul_N]

Speaking on the topic of trademarked terms. I started a new campaign recently and added my ACTUAL URL to the display url field. The ad was disaproved because it contained the word "Plan" and apparently the word "Plan" is a trademaked term!

Obviously I requested an exception, explaining that my actual URL is made up of this word, and it was approved.

How on earth can you trademark an everyday word such as "Plan"?

[AdWordsAdvisor]

problem is as an affiliate marketer now a days if a company has their name trademarked.. google catches it and says "no trademark" what other options do we have? besides just requesting "i'm an affiliate so let me use it int he display URL"

Spudstr, if you wish to use a trademark for which the trademark owner has requested that advertisers not use the trademark in AdWords ad copy - and you feel that you should be an exception to their request - then my advice would be to ask for an exception directly from the trademark owner.

In other words, the exception would come not from Google, but directly from the trademark owner. Also it isn't enough for the trademark owner to tell you that they'll make an exception for you. They must also inform Google of this, in writing, and specifically identify you as an exception to their previous request.

AWA

[Spudstr]

AWA,

Funny you say that, i've had this problem in the past with a couple programs. Funny part is google wont allow it still and i've even had my affiliate manager with that company contact google... still rejeeection! :(

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Funny you say that, i've had this problem in the past with a couple programs. Funny part is google wont allow it still and i've even had my affiliate manager with that company contact google... still rejeeection! :(

Didn't see this till just now Spudstr.

Hmmm. If Google was informed in writing by the trademark owner that you are to be an exception, there should be no problem.

You may want to ask your affiliate manager for a copy of the letter or email sent to AdWords. And if there is one, please, contact AdWords and pursue this. Be sure to quote the letter, and provide the date it was sent, along with details about the address to which it was sent.

AWA

[skibum]

Bummer about the TM thing now being expanded to the display URLs, just ran into that the other day. I contacted the AM about it and he had no idea of the change but was willing to look into it and see what he could do. Have worked with some merchants to get exceptions granted but it usually takes a really, really long time. Typically, you will need to send the AM your AdWords account number and they pass that on to Google so that the ban can be lifted from your campaigns.

[blaze]

I can't imagine Google has any desire whatsoever to deal with people trying to have it both ways.

Killing trademark usage probably is a huge pain in their revenue (all those lack of bids) and then the company wants to come back and say "oh ok but these people can use it".

I'm surprised. You'd think Google wouldn't give exceptions.

Why should you have your cake and eat it too? At Google's expense?

This is probably a transition thing. At some point I'm sure they'll shut off (lets hope so) exception capability.

[Spudstr]

well i droped all advertising that delt with trademark issues for the time being movd onto other things.. that seems to be working better anyway. :)

AWA thanks for your input anyway and as always appreciated :)

-
Zak

[Steve6]

What was the result of Google winning that lawsuit with Geico? I did a search for "geico" and it came up with no Adwords at all.