First let me say I am not one that normally says anything negative about anyone or their ideas, expecially since I have some pretty bad ideas sometimes myself.
I recently noticed a post on phpLinkBid.com’s forum from a really nice member who has done me some favors in the past and helped me with a logo design (I thank him for that). The post was announcing his new directory, one of many he announces frequently.
The thing that disturbed me was the theme, name, and logo of the website. The domain name is googledirectory.info, the name of the site is “google directory”, the domain/site owner calls the site a ”Parity of the original Google Directory.” I call it a major legal issue waiting to happen. The website owner even used Google’s logo on the directory!
This directory does not bother me personally. I am more concerned about the negative impact it can have on phplinkbid site owners and the link bid industry. The site uses the phpLinkBid script and links back to phpLinkBid.com. For the record, phplinkbid is not affiliated with this “google parity” website at all.
I strongly urge the owner of this domain and website to look over google’s guidlines, trademark, and logo information found at http://www.google.com/permissions/guidelines.html .
You can visit this link to see the post this website owner posted in a forum promoting the website: http://forums.phplinkbid.com/showthread.php?t=1770
What do you think about this directory owner and his idea on the “google directory” he has launched?
Let us all know by posting your comments!
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I agree 100% on this issue. Not only the whole google domain but the phplinkbid.info “parity” site he has running as well. I think this just makes bid directories look bad in my opinion.
Seems like he should get a little more original with his newer ideas and think about the legal issues he may face when using googles logo and name.
As a publishers and an author, during the last 45 years I’ve been regularly involved with copyright and trademark issues (geez - I’m getting old!), but it’s mainly since the arrival of internet that these things have become an avalanche. Every Tom, Tracy, Dick, Daisy, Harry or Harriet can nowadays become a “publisher” simply by putting a website online - but unlike the old-time REAL publishers, they don’t even know the very basics of the publishing profession: copyright and trademark legislation! The gentleman in question is heading for disaster, which is a pity because he’s a nice enough bloke. But, just like the vast majority of website owners, he hasn’t done his homework. To the detriment of us who did. Here endeth todays sermon (wide grin)!