Rewards policy update, DreamHost trademark usage

Hmmm…. I wouldn’t want to be the DreamHost staff member in charge of tracking down these domains, there seems to be an awful lot of them out there

Mark

hehe, good luck with that Jeff

Just for clarification; I take it we are only talking about the domain name itself here, having the word ‘DreamHost’ elsewhere in the URL (filename etc.) will still be OK, right?

If not, I have some 301’s to write

Mark

Mark -

No worries, you’re okay.

Mike -

> Example: Say you have http://www.YAY-i-love-dreamhost.com that clearly states that there is no connection with dreamhost, and
> even offers one of those extremely-rare-and-hard-to-find $97 promo codes… is that a problem?

This is a good question - I would probably need to chat with our legal counsel to know for certain. It largely hinges on the potential for market confusion, so it _may_ not be a problem, but we’d probably need to review the specific case to know for sure. To be safe, we’d recommend not registering domains using the ‘dreamhost’ trademark (besides, if you use a more generic term you could always re-purpose it for another host’s affiliate program in the event that we make you mad!).

> Also, if it’s just the name that matters, regardless of deception or not–why not go after the dreamhost-sucks sites that use
> the domain?

Invoking a trademark in the name of a critical site such as you describe is pretty well protected and legally permissible, and shouldn’t pose any legal risk of us losing our trademark or implying that the site is an official DreamHost site (our main concerns).

That doesn’t mean that some companies won’t send cease and desists for such sites in order to scare people into taking them down - we host a few customers’ ’sucks’ sites like that as well, and have more than a few times been contacted by big companies trying to get us to shut them down (which we won’t do - not for trademark reasons, at least).

The only risk any of those ’sucks’ guys may have legally is libel/defamation - and while some of the things said on some of those sites may be demonstrably false (or, more likely, entail selectively telling only half of a story), it’s not something we’ve thus far felt the need to bother pursuing. We feel that most web hosting customers are bright enough to form their opinions of us - both negative and positive - based on a wide variety of sources, and not just a handful of disgruntled people.

- Jeff

Good to see that Dreamhost are protecting their trademark, the amount of decieving pages out there are at an all time high.

Well done Webmaster7 on shutting that domain down, if only you’d stop framing Dreamhost’s own content you might actually be complying with their request. :S

http://www.webmaster7.com/dreamhost-promo-code/dreamhost-97.htm

Anonymous3, as I said to you earlier Jeff C saw my site, at my request, and said that I didn’t had to change anything. Just the domain.

So, I can change that anytime, but not because of a Dreamhost’s request, because that never existed.
I guess I will do it so that you just stop talking about it… really tiring…

:S

Hey Jeff,

Glad to see that a policy change is actually announced and proper lead time given. I was getting tired of the “our policy changed a while back” even though nothing was ever put in writing to the customers.

So, it is only the domain names that are affected, not eventual subdomains (like dreamhost.mydomain.com) or local paths such as http://www.mydomain.com/dreamhost ?!

I’ll buy that domain from you, Dreamhostee… I’ve always wanted to own a dreamhost’ish domain and pretend to be an official site to sell referrals so that I can retire.

You know social security won’t be around when I get old and crusty…

This will count as a direct referral as well I think.

Alan -

> Can I have a domain with the term “DreamHost” and directly link to http://www.dreamhost.com/r.cgi?##### so that I
> can use the domain to refer people and have their signup credited to me?

Nope - basically, the issue is that you’re using a domain with the term “DreamHost” in it. It’s okay, however, to mention DreamHost in your weblog/site and provide a direct link to the referral link.

- Jeff @ DreamHost

Darn, there goe my plans to register sales.thisreallyreallyisdreamhostisweartogod.com…

Just how many different names do you post under, Bob?

You can still use referral links, but a promo code will override a referral link–even if the promo code isn’t yours.

Hi There,

Please contact me about transitioning dreamhostpromocode.net to your control. (Tried a support ticket, but no response).

-Al

Oops, I meant.. new referral features!

Nice job DreamHost!

Thanks for helpful information you catch up us with your instructional explenation.

What people do is more important that what they say…

Best regards

hi.
i’m a domain and hosting reseller and i like to know what is the “DreamHost Rewards program” ?
how can i join this program ?

thanks

Can i translate this and insert on my site in Poland? Thanks

thanx alot

thanks good

Thanks

Yemek Tarifi

Çiçek gönder

well, Dreamhost Reward Program share money with you when u refer someone to sign up with dreamhost, by means of promo code, i have my own promo code, “threesixzero” which gives the maximum $97 discount on signup.

a google search on “dreamhost promo code”, you shld find quite a list of active promo code w people even payin for their promo code to appear in higher ranking, like yellowgorilla.net one of the better knw advertiser in dreamhost promo code

Totally dodgy manueavour. The worst thing, I think, is that it is no small company – which means a multiple amount of people in on the dodgy dealings.

The worst thing, I think, is that it is no small company – which means a multiple amount of people in on the dodgy dealings.

This is a great site for promo codes:
http://www.dreamhost-promo-code.net/

Thanks

great stuff. saved it. greetz from germany

Thaks…

Greetings, just wanted to say thank you for this useful information

It’s very good article. Great site with very good look and perfect information… Thanks

Thanks good

thanks men

Thanks you dreamhost for the great work done. Dreamhost Rocks!

Thanks you dreamhost

thank you.

thanks for articles

http://www.thevillageofquailhill.com/
http://www.netadult.org
http://www.rap-turk.com

Thank you for the updates.

Thank you for the update. Add Your Link

Thank you for let us know this update.

Do you have your own way of determining who are dishonest and who are not? I’ve experienced similar situation some time ago and unfortunately the punishment was applied to all – honest or not. I didn’t want this thing to happen again.

Unfortunately, the internet is plagued by people who want to make a lot of money – and quick money at that – regardless of ethics. As soon as you launch an affiliate program of sorts, these things are bound to happen. In fact, anyone who wants to launch an affiliate program ought to have some way in place (before hand) that protects them from ‘black hat’ techniques like this right from the onset. There will always be those who place money over ethics, and will do anything to make some quick money as quick as possible – and claim free speech and rights when they get caught (as if, free speech and rights makes you unresponsible for unethical actions.) I hope that more companies like yourselves find ways to get this kind of thing out of the internet.

thanks for this content

thanks

thanks.

Construction magazine;The bid news,Fair news,Work World news, Online Shopping.

nice text. thanks….

nice. thanks

thanks.good

thank you dreamhost

nice document thanks….

I second the motion! Lately we’ve also reformulated our referrals system because of some spammers and leaks. The worst thing was, someone made illegal sales without us knowing it.

Sometimes referrals had to follow strict rules otherwise the security of your programs is put into risk.

Rewards and rebates have been employed by many online businesses. But for companies such as yours, I don’t think this scheme has proved its efficiency. I’ve been asked to assist at Affiliate Manager with its task for a hosting company and the usual strategy they use is giving discounts on a hosting package they provide to affiliates and customers.

teşekürler

Thank you