Amazon Closing my Associates Acct - So Pissed | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

11 years ago

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Amazon does own that trademark and are well within their rights to take that domain name.

If you want a site about the Amazon River or Amazon parrots, then that should probably be the domain name (amazonparrots.com). And the site should be about Amazon parrots.

But, if you have a site that features physical products AND you are funneling the traffic to Amazon.com, then that domain name is trademark infringement.

You also cannot have a domain name with Kindle or any of their other trademarked names or misspellings of those names. While I am not sure if misspellings would be trademark infringement, it would certainly get you banned from being an Associate.

The rules are listed in the Associate Agreement that you agreed to when you signed up.

I understand your frustration, but if you are going to play this game you are going to have to take a little time and learn the rules before you jump in head first.

And know this, ALL affiliate programs have rules you have to abide by in order to remain in good standing with their program. Learn them upfront and your life will be so much easier.

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sbucciarel

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by WayCoolJr

You also cannot have a domain name with Kindle or any of their other trademarked names or misspellings of those names. While I am not sure if misspellings would be trademark infringement, it would certainly get you banned from being an Associate.

Amazon Associates will also ban your account if you use the trademark of any company in your domain name and they catch it. Many have been banned for using trademarked exact product names as their domain name.

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JohnMcCabe 11 years ago

Your best bet here is to take their offer, say your sorry, and use the money to buy a more generic domain name.

Then go find a relatively harmless inanimate object to kick...
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garyv

11 years ago

Yeah... you're not going to win this one. Best to get a different domain. If all you're doing is inviting your friends to your site, then it really shouldn't matter what the name of the site is.

But you're definitely not going to win this one. According to the law, they could take that domain from you without paying anything. So they're actually being generous right now.

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The Voices 11 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

If all you're doing is inviting your friends to your site, then it really shouldn't matter what the name of the site is.

This is a great point, it sounds like most of your traffic is direct from people that know you, so you could use a name like JerrysBargains.com, JerrysDeals.com or even something like JerrysPicks.com (these are just off the top of my head, you could probably brainstorm something better)

As a bonus you can add non-Amazon products as well in the future.
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GlenH

11 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

Yeah... you're not going to win this one. Best to get a different domain. If all you're doing is inviting your friends to your site, then it really shouldn't matter what the name of the site is.

But you're definitely not going to win this one. According to the law, they could take that domain from you without paying anything. So they're actually being generous right now.

Exactly...

Cut your losses and start over.

If you really 'P' off Amazon too much, you might lose your account and they can prevent you from getting another

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salegurus

11 years ago

Have to agree with the rest here.
As soon as you monetized that site you broke AA rules.
I wish people would take the time to read the agreements they enter into.
Take the money and thank them...

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Miguelito203

11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

I am so upset about this that I had to jump on here and see what you all thought about this.

First of all, I'm new to hardcore internet marketing but have unsuccessfully dabbling in it for many years. I've been software consultant for 20+ years but due to a back injury and all the outsourcing my livelihood has taken a dive. So I have been trying to get back into IM and of course opened up a AA account and due to the fact that I have a pretty big fb friends list and a sizeable FB group (lots of friends) I figured that a simple domain name like JerrysAmazon.com would pretty much tell my friends all they needed to know. I'm simply being out front with everybody that this site is simply an amazon affiliate site and if they would click through my site I'd get a small commission. I have even stated all of this on the website.

But good ol amazon is claiming that this is a trademark infringement and not only are they threatening to close my account they are telling me that I have to close it down either way. They are of course offer to buy my domain at its original purchase price... how nice of them?
I think this is complete BS, the word Amazon is not theirs! My site could be about Amazon parrots, or the Amazon River, or the Amazon itself.
And what harm would it be causing their trademark anyway. I am stating right on the website that it's an affiliate site. I think this is just another example how the elephants just stomp on us little guys any chance the get.
So what do you all think about this?
TIA for your thoughts.
databasepro

First of all, Amazon is trademarked, but you don't even need to use it as part of your domain name, anyway. If you plan on promoting a lot of products, the domain name you choose should be related to the niche that the products you are promoting are in. For instance, I know people who have toy sites, where they promote Amazon products. The domain names they use are generic but related to the toy niche. They make sales on a daily basis.

Joey

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Ghoster

11 years ago

I sympathize, but the fact is that you are using their trademark. It doesn't matter that you're helping them make sales. If they don't like your site for whatever reason, they can cut you off.

To put it another way: they don't own the word "amazon," but they own it in so far as it relates to their products and services. If they decide they don't want you using it, that's it.

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sbucciarel

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

But good ol amazon is claiming that this is a trademark infringement and not only are they threatening to close my account they are telling me that I have to close it down either way. They are of course offer to buy my domain at its original purchase price... how nice of them?

How nice of you to think that you can use a well established trademark that belongs to someone else for your commercial activities.

You think they don't own the word Amazon in the way that you are using it, just buck them and see how much they are awarded in damages when they sue you off of the planet.

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Leonhart

Banned 11 years ago

Sorry to hear that, but obviously Amazon sells probably almost anything you can imagine. And if your domain was AmazonParrots.com (Just giving an example) they'd still shut you down. Why? Because you could be promoting

Parrot toys using their brand name in your domain and they don't like to see that.

Now, I'm not saying you were promoting Parrot toys or whatever but you get the idea.

It's best to choose your own unique domain name based on the niche you're in, so you'll brand yourself and who knows, maybe become as big as Amazon one day

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LilBlackDress

11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

But good ol amazon is claiming that this is a trademark infringement and not only are they threatening to close my account they are telling me that I have to close it down either way. They are of course offer to buy my domain at its original purchase price... how nice of them?
I think this is complete BS, the word Amazon is not theirs! My site could be about Amazon parrots, or the Amazon River, or the Amazon itself.
And what harm would it be causing their trademark anyway. I am stating right on the website that it's an affiliate site. I think this is just another example how the elephants just stomp on us little guys any chance the get.
So what do you all think about this?
TIA for your thoughts.
databasepro

But your site is not about Amazon parrots. Your site is about selling Amazon goods and that is infringing on their territory for sure. So no I don't think this is the elephant stomping on little guys I think this is you trying to take advantage. You sign up for a program you need to follow the rules. It is clear in the TOS you can't do what you are doing.

Anyway, are they closing your account or just saying they will f you do not shut the site down?

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Tim3

11 years ago

That is what happens when you put your own interpretation on other people's terms of service, and the law.

If your site was about the Amazon rain forest or the river of the same name you might have a case...

but it isn't and you haven't.

I think it was very gracious of Amazon to offer to buy your domain from you when they could have seized it anyway.

Bite the bullet, be polite to Amazon, ask that your account be kept open.
You learned the hard way.
Don't waste time, get over it.
Think of another name
Start again.

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Stevie C

11 years ago

I think you guys are being a bit harsh on the guy it was an honest mistake but a good warning for newbie Amazon affiliates to read the TOS.

I build Amazon sites for customers and I've had a few that I asked what domain they want the site built on and they give me a domain like Amazontoasterreviews.com and I have to put them straight.

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Guru SEO 11 years ago

It is clearly marked in the Amazon associates TOS, you can move everything on a new site and ask to reconsider to get your account back, sometimes it works.

If not you can always try cj.com
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DeanJames

11 years ago

@DataBasePro - You can't sign up with Amazon and then use "Amazon" in your domain name. It is infringement and a huge company like that is going to shut you down faster than a magician can pull a rabbit out of a hat.

My advice: Start all over again and build up a list/control the assets as much as you can and DON'T use any trademark terms in your domain name.

Best, Dean.

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newxxx

11 years ago

while looking at amazon for something else, i saw these:

(g) include any trademark of Amazon or its affiliates, or a variant or misspelling of a trademark of Amazon or its affiliates, in any domain name, subdomain name, or in any username, group name, or other identifier on any social networking site (see the Trademark Guidelines for examples); or

and

10. Identifying Yourself as an Associate

You will not issue any press release or make any other public communication with respect to this Operating Agreement, your use of the Content, or your participation in the Program. You will not misrepresent or embellish the relationship between us and you (including by expressing or implying that we support, sponsor, endorse, or contribute to any charity or other cause), or express or imply any relationship or affiliation between us and you or any other person or entity except as expressly permitted by this Operating Agreement. You must, however, clearly state the following on your site: “[Insert your name] is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to [insert the applicable site name (amazon.com, amazonsupply.com, or myhabit.com)].”

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DeborahDera

11 years ago

The word Amazon, in the way you plan on using it, obviously shows them you plan to use it to market Amazon products - which means people might think they are directly associated with you, when you're just a third-party affiliate.

It's a clear violation of their TOS to use a trademarked term in the URL of any domain.

Sorry, but it honestly seems like you made a classic beginner's mistake. Read the TOS on any site before you start using it. Even if it's 80% legalese stuff you don't really understand, you can still understand the parts about what you can and really can't do. They're usually very clear.

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

I am so upset about this that I had to jump on here and see what you all thought about this.

First of all, I'm new to hardcore internet marketing but have unsuccessfully dabbling in it for many years. I've been software consultant for 20+ years but due to a back injury and all the outsourcing my livelihood has taken a dive. So I have been trying to get back into IM and of course opened up a AA account and due to the fact that I have a pretty big fb friends list and a sizeable FB group (lots of friends) I figured that a simple domain name like JerrysAmazon.com would pretty much tell my friends all they needed to know. I'm simply being out front with everybody that this site is simply an amazon affiliate site and if they would click through my site I'd get a small commission. I have even stated all of this on the website.

But good ol amazon is claiming that this is a trademark infringement and not only are they threatening to close my account they are telling me that I have to close it down either way. They are of course offer to buy my domain at its original purchase price... how nice of them?
I think this is complete BS, the word Amazon is not theirs! My site could be about Amazon parrots, or the Amazon River, or the Amazon itself.
And what harm would it be causing their trademark anyway. I am stating right on the website that it's an affiliate site. I think this is just another example how the elephants just stomp on us little guys any chance the get.
So what do you all think about this?
TIA for your thoughts.
databasepro

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pizzatherapy

11 years ago

Clearly you made a mistake.

Hopefully others here at WF will learn from your mistake.

And trust me, all of us here have made mistakes. I've made more mistakes than I can count.
But I learn from each and every mistake. That is the point.

The question is what will you do about it.

Move on...you seem to have some great ideas about wanting to become an affiliate. Now put your plan into action.

I'm very surprised Amazon even offered to buy your domain. They are the 800 pound gorilla in the room!

All the best. Onward and upward!

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mmixon

11 years ago

Afraid you are SOL. Several months ago, Amazon froze my account because of a "Copyright Violation" complaint from another author that said I published his book without his permission. Turned out that the claim was completely false, but it took 2 months to fight my way out.
Then, they reopened my account, but they decided that all my books were "frozen" and any books I wanted to reinstate, I would have to resubmit to Amazon for approval.
Before being frozen, I made about $125 a month on book sales. Now zero. Don't know if I want to go thru the process or not. Quite a hassel, but that is the way it is.

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RobinInTexas

11 years ago

Before you register a domain name next time, read up on trademark law. Overview of Trademark Law

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DataBasePro

11 years ago

Thank you all for replies and suggestions. I first want to say that I do believe it or not read all the TOS's on the various sites that I use Amazon included. But in this case I didn't think this was an actual infringement and even if it was it is to their benefit anyway so why would the want to bother me. I stated clearly on the site that I was only affiliate. I still feel that I should be able to keep the domain because maybe some day I will write about the Amazon Forest. Anyway, as you all point out I am dealing with the 10 ton gorilla and better abide by their demands.

I wonder what Kia would say about a MyKia.com site or mynike.com or mynikestore.com. It was all well intended because do believe in following the rules even if I don't like them.

thanks again for all the replies I will let you all know what happens.

Thanks
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JohnMcCabe

11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

Thank you all for replies and suggestions. I first want to say that I do believe it or not read all the TOS's on the various sites that I use Amazon included. But in this case I didn't think this was an actual infringement and even if it was it is to their benefit anyway so why would the want to bother me. I stated clearly on the site that I was only affiliate. I still feel that I should be able to keep the domain because maybe some day I will write about the Amazon Forest. Anyway, as you all point out I am dealing with the 10 ton gorilla and better abide by their demands.

I wonder what Kia would say about a MyKia.com site or mynike.com or mynikestore.com. It was all well intended because do believe in following the rules even if I don't like them.

thanks again for all the replies I will let you all know what happens.

This isn't necessarily about you, specifically. It's about defending the trademark. Once a holder starts allowing some use of the trademark, even if it benefits them (as you see it), they can lose the trademark protection. This opens them up to uses similar to yours which may not be so beneficial, for example someone spamming for traffic or using some other unethical practice for which Amazon could find itself responsible.

Would you really want to look for a product and find your hunt dominated by ads asking "Is Amazon a Scam?" with a destination of AmazonsProductXRipoff.com? That's the kind of thing Amazon can see coming if they don't defend the trademark.

If you want to keep the domain, keep the domain, but take the site offline. If you ever do write about the rain forest, don't even offer Amazon products on the site, or you'll be in dutch with them again.

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tyronne78 11 years ago

Sorry to hear about your troubles DataBasePro. With that being said it's all about your intention. If you have the word Amazon in your domain and your intent is to market and sell Amazon products in any way shape or form you are in violation of Amazon's Terms of Service.
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Fantastic

11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

Thank you all for replies and suggestions. I first want to say that I do believe it or not read all the TOS's on the various sites that I use Amazon included. But in this case I didn't think this was an actual infringement and even if it was it is to their benefit anyway so why would the want to bother me. I stated clearly on the site that I was only affiliate. I still feel that I should be able to keep the domain because maybe some day I will write about the Amazon Forest. Anyway, as you all point out I am dealing with the 10 ton gorilla and better abide by their demands.

I wonder what Kia would say about a MyKia.com site or mynike.com or mynikestore.com. It was all well intended because do believe in following the rules even if I don't like them.

thanks again for all the replies I will let you all know what happens.

Sounds to me like you're just trying to justify something that isn't true.

Why would you write about THE Amazon rainforest...

On a site you've already admitted to being an Amazon affiliate site?

Move on to something else and be smarter in the future.

You can't trick or capitalize on a company like Amazon in that way.

Sorry dude.

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Patbinc

11 years ago

Lots of advice has been given above about how to resolve this. I will just add some comments about the kind of online marketing you should be doing to be completely free and independent of such hassles.

Amazon is shafting you (kind of) because they own the house. So instead of doing business in someone's house, build your own house and run your own business from there. I mean register your own unique domain name, build your own unique website, sell your own unique products and offer your own unique services.

That way you are in total control of your business. Working in someone's else house means you have to abide by the rules of the house owner. And sometimes the owners make up the rules as they go along - you don't want to base your business on someone else's whims, there's no freedom in that. My 2 cents.

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DataBasePro

11 years ago

Thanks again for all of your replies and advice. I do understand where all of you are coming from and I also understand that amazon is the behemoth and is pushing their weight around. I don't necessarily agree with many of the comments but certainly don't fault anyone for reminding me of the facts of life. But I still must say that I think it's BS. Just today I saw a post go by with the headline something like this... Massive Oil Drilling in the Amazon. When I read it I was reminded how Amazon is just a word and I should be able to use it because it's a place on your planet. Amazon is taking ownership of a word and it’s just not right.

Here’s what they are requiring me to do…
I have to transfer my domain name to them and agree to NEVER use their trademark in a domain name ever again. So until the end of time I am not allowed to use the word Amazon.

After I make this promise they will reinstate my AA account that has never earned me a penny yet. Am I allowed to use JoeBlowsMicrosoftServices.com? Or JoeBlowsBorderboundTraining.com or JoesAdobeTipsAndTricks? How about this? JoesAmazonTips.com or MyBigAmazonSnakes.com? I think you get my point.

I’ve was a software developer for 20 years but now I am starting all over as a newbie Internet Marketer.

btw. I like PatBInc’s answers the best. But of course we all have to play by the big boy rules.

I hope everyone gets my candor and partial sarcasm; I didn’t want to start my presence here in a negative way.

Thanks again

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cosmos33 11 years ago

Change your name to

JerrysAmazingOnlineStoreSuperDuperCoolStuffThatISe ll.com

Easy to remember, not to long and eye catchy. Cheese not included.
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GoodFE 11 years ago

I think you are really missing the point here. Amazon don't own the word 'amazon'. They can't stop a local newspaper from using it in their publications, and after a quick internet search I found more than a couple of websites with the word 'amazon' in the title. The difference here is that these other websites are not selling amazon goods, they are theme parks, or other non-related websites. (I also lived in Thailand and they have dozens of amazon cafes there, and they also have a website with the word amazon in the url)

Your argument that you should be allowed to keep the domain name simply because you might decide to write about the amazon rainforest or the amazon parrot's is just plain silly. You are basically saying that yes, you did infringe on their copyright, but you might consider not infringing in the future so you shouldn't be held accountable.

The fact is that you DID break the terms of service, and yet you continue to make out that this is the big bad corporation pushing the little guy around. I checked your website and you blatantly say on the front page that you want people to buy through your website so that you can support your family. I understand your reasoning, but this is also against the terms and conditions. Amazon don't want you to ask people to click on the links, they want it to be natural. From what I have read, you are not really selling products for amazon at all. Your friends, who would already be buying the products to begin with, are simply clicking the link to give you a slice of the action. This isn't really being an affiliate, it's gaming the system.

They are being more than fair by asking you to transfer the domain name. You are not being pushed around in any way, shape or form, and you shouldn't be immune to the rules just because you are ignorant to them.

I'm really blown away by this thread. I've seen some before where the OP was a little bit wrong, and others where they were mostly wrong, but this is the first time I can remember seeing one where the OP was 100% wrong yet is acting as though he is the victim.
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An Al

11 years ago

] But I still must say that I think it's BS. Just today I saw a post go by with the headline something like this... Massive Oil Drilling in the Amazon. When I read it I was reminded how Amazon is just a word and I should be able to use it because it's a place on your planet. Amazon is taking ownership of a word and it’s just not right.

So basically you paid about as much attention to the posts in this thread as you did the Amazon TOS. I sure hope you spent more attention to software code.

Amazon does not own the word Amazon. If you want to have a site called amazonoildrilling.com, or myfavoriteamazonparrots.com, or iloveamazonwomen.com, you can do it all day every day of the year. If you want to have a site called jakesamazon.com where you talk about the Amazon river, you can. If you want to have a site called jakehatesamazon.com, you can. If you want to have a site called jakesamazon.com that pretends to be like Amazon and sells Amazon products(or non-Amazon products), you're going to have trouble.

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DataBasePro 11 years ago

An Al, why do you say I didn't pay any attention to the replies here? It doesn't mean I have to agree everything that is said. But I will certainly honor most of them.
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Dan67

11 years ago

Sometimes using a trademark in a domain is ok. I sent an email to Microsoft as I wanted to use three of their trademarks in three domains and they replied saying there was no problem as long as I clearly stated I was not affiliated with them on the website. So the rule is ALWAYS ask permission first. If they say no just use a generic domain.

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Gaz Cooper

11 years ago

If you had actually READ THE TERMS OF SERVICE which you are required to do, it clearly states that you may not use the word Amazon Kindle etc etc in any domain name because it is their trademark.

Just suck it up and get a new domain name put it down to experience and then read Amazons TOS so you dont make the same mistake again

good luck

Gaz Cooper
Amz Training Academy

Just read your last post and you are not understanding the use of the term Amazon, you certainly cannot use the word Amazon in a retail format or clearly trying to use the word to steal cusomters from the owner of the trademark by targeting their business name. You could however use the word in something that has NOTHING TO DO WITH SELLING PRODUCTS for example this site http://amazongoldfilm.com/ which is a film about the Amazon.

Very clear distinction between the 2

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DataBasePro 11 years ago

Gaz, I wasn't stealing business away. The site was built using the aStore and I am not selling anything at all on the site, I am only referring business to Amazon. The only reason I named the way I did is so that I easily tell my friends and the 3500 people in my facebook group to stop by my Amazon site on the way to Amazon. By the way I did read the TOC but regardless how it was interpreted I figured they would see that I was simply sending them the business anyway.

Oh well, the bottom line is that the 50ton gorilla has spoken and I need to listen if I want to use their services.... I get it, but it doesn't make it right... nobody should be able to tell me that I can't use a word from the English dictionary. Soon we will be told that we can't name a child Dick because there's a sporting goods store with that name.
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Fat Wolf

11 years ago

yep. must be something relate to Trademarked. I have AA for many years, never have problem with it

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IndianBabe

11 years ago

sorry to say this...
but u are using their name
and most companies of repute
will not allow this
all the best

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Chris Grable 11 years ago

And... just to put a little icing on your cake.... NOT.....

If JerrysAmazon.com is yours... you have invited them to follow this conversation. Do a Google search for JerrysAmazon.com and you'll find this thread on the second page of the SERPs. It will likely move up the list.

There's a better than even chance that they have already and will again conduct that very search and find you here complaining about them. Probably not the way to make friends and influence people.

Take a deep breath and move on. Your account and the opportunity it affords you is worth more than wrongly complaining about something that irritates you.

Just my 2 cents.

cheers,
chris
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- DataBasePro 11 years ago
  
  Yes the bottom line is that I was not selling anything on that site, there wasn't even a shopping cart on it.
  
  Yes I am trying to drop it but there are lots of replies and I didn't want to just ignore them.
  
  Thanks
  
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GoodFE

11 years ago

and just to add. You use amazon's logo as a part of your logo. I mean, come on dude. You are 100% to blame and if someone did to me what you're doing to them then I'd want to take you to court. You've got donate buttons all over the place and you're asking people to click on he links and telling them that you'll get a commission. It's boggling my mind how you can respond to comments by saying that Amazon are just a corporation pushing you around.

No offense, but you will struggle to make a splash in IM with this attitude. We've all made mistakes, but if you can't fess up and accept the blame then you'll struggle to evolve with the market.

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Gene Pimentel

11 years ago

And just to interject - this is not about Amazon "pushing their weight around". Trademark protection is a universal requirement. Trademark law is such that a company that fails to protect their trademark will be subject to losing their hard earned trademark. They are required to take the action they have.

Being 'pissed' and stubborn about trademark law will not change anything. You will run into this situation with every trademarked name you associate yourself with in the future. Learn a lesson from this and take the time to learn about trademark law.

That being said, you are correct in stating that Amazon is just a word. You are free to use that word in a domain name and establish your own "Amazon" trademark, if it is being used in a way that is not associated with the current trademark holders.

(I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice).

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DataBasePro 11 years ago

Thanks Gene, and everyone else. I asked for your opinions and you all spent the time to give them to me and I appreciate that.
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clairelynn23

11 years ago

I think I wouldn't spend a lot of time arguing the points, and spend more time working on the alternative. I'm sure you will do just as well. Don't waste your energy on something you can't win.

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Harvey Segal 11 years ago

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

some day I will write about the Amazon Forest

Originally Posted by DataBasePro

I am dealing with the 10 ton gorilla

Wow. I had no idea they were that heavy.

.
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dba2020com

11 years ago

While I feel DataBasePro's pain, I understand Amazon's reaction. I, too, am pissed at Amazon but not for the same reasons.

It is because of the infamous "Amazon Tax Law". I live in Arkansas. I am unable to be an affiliate. So, Yes, I use other alternatives for affiliation. I thought that this was the topic of this thread. I'm still searching for that thread.

Yet, I'm hoping (should I start making millions of dollars) to be able to satisfy the tax man (person)'s lust for their portion. It's just a cost-of-doing-business expense. I'll keep back 10% for the state, 40% for the FEDs and I'll get the remaining 50% for expenses, advertising, traffic, etc. etc. My accountant says it's what falls out the bottom that I can spend.

Of course, right now, it's all hypothetical since I'm still earning 0 dollars for my efforts. I'm convinced it's because of Lack of Focus more than lack of knowledge or effort. I, also, realize that it is a good thing that I'm consulting CPAs and Lawyers for direction and answers to my tax concerns.

Yes, I know, call my government officials and explain my position. But, it's much more placating to my brain to dump it all in a forum.

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Sid Hale

11 years ago

Originally Posted by dba2020com

I, too, am pissed at Amazon but not for the same reasons.

It is because of the infamous "Amazon Tax Law". I live in Arkansas. I am unable to be an affiliate. So, Yes, I use other alternatives for affiliation. I thought that this was the topic of this thread. I'm still searching for that thread.

Perhaps you should redirect your anger, and be pissed at Arkansas instead ????

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dba2020com 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Sid Hale

Perhaps you should redirect your anger, and be pissed at Arkansas instead ????

You're absolutely right. I need to be more proactive and call my state and federal representatives. They do seem busy with other issues but more taxes and me becoming Arkansas's tax collector is a concern.

Actually, I am formulating (rather looking for) a legal-ethical-civil-effective plan to deal with this issue. There is a federal law being past between the federal branches to make the state laws more "fair." I just haven't come up with any great ideas for moving forward.

Besides, it is more relieving to dump my frustrations out in a forum. Other than the temporary personal relief, it would be great to see and find relevant dialog dealing with taxation on the Internet. I believe it is an issue that will soon effect all people doing business on the www.

Thanks
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MrMonetize

11 years ago

So I've just read this thread on the 12th Oct and I notice that your site is still live! You posted this complaint here on the 3rd Oct, that's 9 days ago! Why is it still there despite warnings from Amazon? You have to pull it no matter what you think. It's not about the Amazon, or parrots, frogs, snakes, monkeys, lizards or any other jungle wildlife. It's an Amazon affiliate site. You are trying to make money using their trademark, no wonder they're annoyed.

Their name is massive online, so psychologically your domain will instill a level of trust in any visitor. That's trading on anothers reputation and one of the reasons why trademarks are registered and controlled. You are also using their logo as part of your logo, compounding the issue.

I would pull the site, like now, and replace it with a generic domain. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours so I'm surprised its still live considering your warning.

There's a saying - "Don't bite the hand that feeds you".

Thanks

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