Advertising ethics

[RobT]

Hi all,

just been doing a few checks on the web to check various links etc are working and our ranking against other sites - all is in order and the PPUK is still faster to upload compared to 76% of other sites on the web.

However, during a routine check on Google where I type in certain key words to e.g Period Property UK I came across a Google Adwords ad for the Listed property Owners Club which is using 'Period Property Uk' as its headline.

Am I right to feel annoyed about this or is it a compliment that the PPUK site is used to promote of sites?

regards

Rob Tavendale
Period Property UK

 

[Moo]

Am I right to feel annoyed about this or is it a compliment that they need to use this site to promote their own?

Both.

 

[DaveBrigg]

I'm not impressed with the Listed Property owners Club. I completed a questionnaire in return for sample editions of their magazine, and just received spam instead. I suppose that this site must be a great nuisance for them, IMHO offering for free a better source of advice and access to relevant advertisers. Anything which confused the two sites would work to their advantage. I assume that such a generic phrase as 'period property' cannot be copyrighted.

 

[MdB]

There have been various court cases about this sort of thing. Some reading for you Rob:
http://www.shoosmiths.co.uk/news/2611.asp
http://www.cpaglobal.com/ip-review-online/4172/brand_new_shock_eu_over_google

 

[christianb]

It's just how it is. After all, if you were involved in period properties in some way, you'd have to be bonkers not to use the terms. They certainly aren't trademarks.

And I'm also sure it won't stop those interested in the subject from finding this fine website.

C.

 

[Pford75]

I agree with Christian.

Whilst I am no fan of the LPOC, I can perfectly understand their desire to identify people likely to use their services. And this website would seem to attract a lot of them. It's fair game as far as I can see.....plenty of other websites and businesses will use similar tactics. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it and and see it as evidence of your success

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Robert, you will recall that it was the LPOC that led me to you in the early days-- however, I don't think that site is as rewarding or as down to earth as this one, definitely not worth 'worriting' about the 'competition'-- everyone has different expectations of websites and only use the ones that fulfils their requirements.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Don't let them get you down Rob this is a fab site and we all love it!

I like all the different bits of it, not just the wonderfully helpful forum, but also the companies who advertise with you, that I've had occasion to deal with, are so much more knowledgeable and impressive than your run of the mill. I haven't had a chance to hire any of them yet ( but will), some great stonemasons etc have been out to quote and I've been impressed with their attitude and past work. Your site attracts a high calibre of people and we're all extremely grateful to yourselves for the fine work you do, as well as the experts who stick around to give their advice so generously.

LPOC doesn't compare.

 

[Flyfisher]

I doubt that 'period property' alone could be copyrighted but it might be possible for 'Period Property UK'. Or it might be possible to register 'Period Property UK' as a trademark. There is also the issue of 'passing off' where it might be possible to argue that LPOC is causing confusion to the 'market' by including 'Period Property UK' in their website in order to fool search engines.

Unfortunately, all the above could probably only be pursued with specialist legal assistance (translation: 'expensive') with no guarantee of a satisfactory outcome, whatever that may be. So, I think it's just the way of the online world.

 

[Cloudscape]

Your could put something in your blurb (or metadata) along the lines of:

For Owners of Listed Property who don't want to join a Club

 

[jocelyn plummer]

ouch!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Rob - you should be flattered.

I don't think there is anything you can do about it - Period, Property and UK are all generic words that most folk will bung into Google. However the mighty and fabulous PPUK is the first site returned when one does so anyway. Adwords are a little more tricky.... of course we all know that when someone clicks on an adword it costs the advertiser a couple of magic beans.... :wink: