Yahoo has a messy Trademark Policy

Posted by in Sponsored Search on Aug 16th, 2010 | 2 comments

The table below summarizes Google’s, Yahoo!’s and Bing’s trademark policy with regard to competitive use of trademarks as keywords. In this table, Google’s policy is the policy announced to take effect on September 14, 2010.

France Trademarks can be used by competitor. Google does not investigate the use of trademarks as keywords. The Advertising Terms and Conditions are silent about the use of trademarks, Advertisements have to comply with the editorial rules that are also silent about trademarks. Competitive use is not allowed.
The Netherlands Trademarks can be used by competitor. Google does not investigate the use of trademarks as keywords. The Advertising Terms and Conditions are silent about the use of trademarks, Advertisements have to comply with French editorial rules that are also silent about trademarks. Advertisements on Bing are provided by Yahoo!
United States Trademarks can be competitively used. Google does not investigate the use of trademarks as keywords. Competitive use is not allowed. Competitive use is not allowed.
United Kingdom Trademarks can be competitively used. Google does not investigate the use of trademarks as keywords. The Advertising Terms and Conditions state: “You acknowledge and agree that (i) all advertisers may bid on any key word or phrase (including trade marks) in accordance with our policies”. Yahoo! UK has no Trademark Policy. Competitive use is not allowed.

Download this table including references.



2 Responses to “ “Yahoo has a messy Trademark Policy”

  1. Are you keeping up with paid search trademark policies? » talkdigitalmarketing.co.uk says:
    February 16, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    [...] general prohibits the use of competitive trademarks in for both bids and ad copy. (Check out a nice review of the various policies in a few [...]

  2. Are you keeping up with paid search trademark policies? | seotworank says:
    March 11, 2011 at 7:31 am

    [...] general prohibits the use of competitive trademarks in for both bids and ad copy. (Check out a nice review of the various policies in a few [...]

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