Rewards policy update, DreamHost trademark usage
Just a heads-up for those using our popular DreamHost Rewards program!
Lately we’ve been noticing an increase in the number of people utilizing DreamHost Rewards - this is good! We’re happy that you guys are spreading the word.
However, we’ve also noticed a marked increase in people using the ‘DreamHost’ trademark in their domain names in an apparent effort to add some degree of official-ness to their referral, improve search engine rankings, etc. Whether the intent is malicious or not, this sort of thing constitutes infringement of our ‘DreamHost’ trademark and we can’t allow that to continue.
Because of that, we’ve added the following verbiage to our DreamHost Rewards terms:
Gaining referrals through misrepresentation, improper use of DreamHost intellectual property (ie. DreamHost trademarks and copyrighted material) or impersonation of DreamHost personnel is strictly prohibited and can result in loss of accrued Rewards and/or removal from the program.
In 30 days, we will prevent Rewards from accruing for any domain that contains our registered trademark (including obvious misspellings, etc). Such Rewards links will simply cease to work. We will also begin contacting the owners of those domains in order to arrange a resolution.
If you have a domain that you believe may infringe upon DreamHost trademark, please contact us directly via Tech Support as soon as possible. For those domains registered prior to today we will happily provide a 1 year domain registration once the domain is under our control so that their owners can register a different domain in its place.
If you have any questions, please let us know!
Update: Just for clarification, these changes won’t impact those using dreamhosters.com sub-domains or old-school dreamhost.com sub-domains!
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December 29th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
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
December 29th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
That poor staff member would be me, and - yeah - I know I have some work to do.
Given that they’ll soon be worthless for Rewards purposes and we’re offering to replace ‘em with a non-infringing domain, though, will hopefully make it more palatable to those who’ve being doing this for a while.
- Jeff
December 29th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
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
December 29th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Jeff,
Is it “dreamhost” being in the domain that’s the problem, or deceptive use of the name?
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?
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?
December 29th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
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
December 30th, 2006 at 4:52 am
I was one of the persons that had a domain with the word dreamhost in it, because I didn’t knew this wasn’t approoved, but I shut it down.
My leads are even going up in the domain I’m using now, because it’s older, but the most important thing is that I did the right thing. Dreamhost requested this, and I complied asking nothing material in return.
Partnerships are really important, and Jeff I’m glad to see this.
December 30th, 2006 at 5:37 am
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
December 30th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
so, for example, if i were to have http://www.mynamehere.com/coolstuff/dreamhost-codes would that be a problem. If my name had noting to do with the dream host trademark?
December 30th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
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
December 30th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
I removed that page so that you become happy, Anonymous3. Frames are part of the world wide web. Search engines don’t like affiliate links. Adwords don’t accept affiliate links. But they accept affiliate links inside frames.
But for now I’ll even link directly to Dreamhost, without any referral link on it.
As I already said to you in the forum, Jeff C checked my site, at my request, and suggested no changes.
But hey, to you I can repeat that again.
As soon as the domain was shut down, I was complying with their request. What you suggested wasn’t correct.
Thank you for link dropping, Maybe I’ll put some content on that page.
December 30th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
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.
December 30th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
What an awesomely grown-up solution to a niggly childish problem.
Respect to you, dreamhost. Just another reason why I shall not hesitate to continue my patronage and recommend your services to others.
(With or without ‘promos’)
Happy Hosting New Year.
December 30th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
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 ?!
January 2nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Well I have one of the domains probably in question…
http://www.dreamhostreport.com/
I havent updated the site since sept. 05 and am letting it lapse in feb or march of ‘07.
My email is listed so if you need to shoot me an email or whatever about it go ahead, otherwise its going to lapse.
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:22 am
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…
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Hi,
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?
January 3rd, 2007 at 11:14 pm
This will count as a direct referral as well I think.
January 4th, 2007 at 5:10 am
I’ve reregistered googlebay.com.au before even start thinking what do with it. I friend of mine suggested put a search on it. So I installed a meta search. A script was not worth a $100 I paid for it but looked similar to Google. And guess what? The largest keyword name inside of the domain name gives only ….0 to 15 + robots traffic. Not mentioning my lost time and worries for Google.
The bottom line is – you cannot sell a piece of a toilet paper even if you print $100 bill on it. If you can – you must be a fantastic con artist! Stop wasting yourself. Become a politician or something, have real fun and money.
And what are you going to do with a loose change received from abusing the name? Money come and go, time lost forever. Will you ever grow up by wearing somebody’s mask?
January 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
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
January 4th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Hi,
If the issue at hand is having a domain with the term “DreamHost” in it, then surely yay-i-love-dreamhost.com as posted above would be an issue. For clarification, I was mentioning a URL redirect on the domain, so there is no actually content on the site.
January 5th, 2007 at 1:17 am
Darn, there goe my plans to register sales.thisreallyreallyisdreamhostisweartogod.com…
January 5th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Weeeeeeee….ya gotta love competition, here’s a few more for you to check out Jeff but I’m sure you have it under control anyway.
http://www.dreamhost-promo-code.com
http://www.dreamhost-promocodes.com
dreamhost-bonus.wampi.net
dreamhost-promocodes.com
dreamhost-promo-coupon.com
dreamhost-promo-code.yellowgorilla.net
dreamhost-promo-code.shareupload.net
dreamhost-promo.megauber.org
dreamhost-promo-code.deaniz.com
dreamhostpromocodes.com
dreamhostpromocode.net
dreamhostsale.com
dreamhost97.wordpress.com
dreamhostreviews.netfirms.com
dreamhostcoupons.net
dreamhostcodes.com
dreamhostreviews.com
dreamhost.com.web-hosting-review.biz
dreamhost.com.web-hosting-top.com
coupon-dreamhost.com
97bonus-dreamhost.aukce-online.info
January 6th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Just how many different names do you post under, Bob?
January 8th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Regarding Jeff:
I thought that the http://www.dreamhost.com/r.cgi?##### type links were no longer functional; I recall reading that the ONLY way to score credit was through a promo code… Is this true?
January 8th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
You can still use referral links, but a promo code will override a referral link–even if the promo code isn’t yours.
January 15th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
http://dreamhost.yellowgorilla.net found it in Google Adwords.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Hi There,
Please contact me about transitioning dreamhostpromocode.net to your control. (Tried a support ticket, but no response).
-Al
March 28th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Hey Mike have you seen this guys post -> He is using a referral link TO use a promo code… Looks pretty sweet!
http://www.askapache.com/2007/dreamhost/multiply-your-dreamhost-referrals.html
March 31st, 2007 at 2:55 am
Oops, I meant.. new referral features!
Nice job DreamHost!
May 28th, 2007 at 5:26 am
great work to encourage us to market dreamhost
June 3rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
Thanks for helpful information you catch up us with your instructional explenation.
What people do is more important that what they say…
Best regards
June 7th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Great! Im looking foreward to making some revenue promoting this quality service!
June 10th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
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 ?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:21 am
How go get involve in the rewards program?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
thanks
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:44 am
Where can I find more info about this program ?
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Can i translate this and insert on my site in Poland? Thanks
July 12th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
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July 15th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
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July 15th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
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August 7th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
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August 8th, 2007 at 4:25 am
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August 14th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Thanks
Yemek Tarifi
August 14th, 2007 at 8:47 am
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August 14th, 2007 at 8:47 am
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August 19th, 2007 at 12:53 am
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August 21st, 2007 at 8:16 am
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
August 28th, 2007 at 1:37 am
This is the kind of problem many on-line businesses are having to face. I can’t remember the details, but a US company came up with a fantastic and novel idea, and after they released it a company in the UK registered a similar name (one with a hyphen) and began a similar product – even down to making the website look very similar. This way, they probably stole a few clients and users without people even realising it. 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.
August 30th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
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.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:44 am
thanks four you flowers
September 4th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
The worst thing, I think, is that it is no small company – which means a multiple amount of people in on the dodgy dealings.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
great
September 5th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
This is a great site for promo codes:
http://www.dreamhost-promo-code.net/
Thanks
September 9th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Thanks
September 13th, 2007 at 3:18 am
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September 18th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
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September 25th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Thaks…
September 25th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Thaks… good nice
September 27th, 2007 at 10:26 am
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September 28th, 2007 at 2:08 am
Greetings, just wanted to say thank you for this useful information
Thanks
September 28th, 2007 at 11:13 am
It’s very good article. Great site with very good look and perfect information… Thanks
September 29th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Thanks good
Greetings, just wanted to say thank you for this useful information
September 29th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
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October 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
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October 14th, 2007 at 3:17 am
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October 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 am
thanks men
October 25th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Thanks you dreamhost for the great work done. Dreamhost Rocks!
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:33 am
Great! Im looking foreward to making some revenue promoting this quality service!
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:34 am
Thanks you dreamhost
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:34 am
thanks for artichle
November 7th, 2007 at 12:16 am
thank you.
November 9th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
In 30 days, we will prevent Rewards from accruing for any domain that contains our registered trademark (including obvious misspellings, etc). Such Rewards links will simply cease to work. We will also begin contacting the owners of those domains in order to arrange a resolution.
November 10th, 2007 at 1:59 am
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November 12th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
thanks man
November 15th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Thank you for the updates.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Thank you for this article. I really enjoyed reading it and also the following comments.
Regards from http://www.webtechnik.net
December 6th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Thank you for the update. Add Your Link
December 6th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Thanks…keep us update.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Thank you for let us know this update.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Hi there, I think it’s good that both are available so that we can choose which one to use (depending on the situation). Thx
December 12th, 2007 at 1:30 am
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.
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:16 am
thanks.very nice
December 27th, 2007 at 5:15 am
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.
December 29th, 2007 at 11:54 am
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January 2nd, 2008 at 5:34 am
thanks for this content
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 am
thanks for this content
January 8th, 2008 at 5:42 am
thanks
January 12th, 2008 at 12:48 am
thanks
January 15th, 2008 at 6:09 am
thanks.
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 am
I think,The Wedding plan do pair for a lot of useful.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Construction magazine;The bid news,Fair news,Work World news, Online Shopping.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:18 am
The Dreamhost Rewards Program is very attractive. May I know what are the terms and requirements to qualify for this program?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
nice text. thanks….
February 20th, 2008 at 8:05 am
thanks..
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
nice. thanks
February 24th, 2008 at 2:36 am
Turkish building magazina, bid news fair news, decoration news, sector news.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:49 am
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February 27th, 2008 at 3:50 am
nice text. thanks….
February 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
thank you dreamhost
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 am
thanks very nice
March 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
nice document thanks….
March 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Hi there, I think it’s good that both are available so that we can choose which one to use (depending on the situation). Thx
April 4th, 2008 at 3:22 am
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.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am
In order not to confuse clients would you mind giving us a formal separate post on your Reward program, if there are any. Also, please post your Business Terms, Policies, and the likes which involve the use of your services or products. This will avoid any undesirable incidents in the future.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
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.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am
teşekür
May 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am
teşekürler
July 17th, 2008 at 3:11 am
We are looking forward to your next posting!
Thank you for the helpful tutorial