What are the issues with CJ?
Can someone give me examples, info etc - This is their code of conduct thing.
Preamble to Publisher Code of Conduct
We, the undersigned Service Providers, believe that fair business practices produce optimum
results for online consumers and all parties participating in online pay-for-performance
advertising and affiliate marketing programs. In particular, fair business practices are important
to the continued vitality of online advertising and the continued availability of advertisersupported
content. These practices include compliance with contractual obligations and all
applicable laws and regulations, as well as adherence to high ethical standards as responsible
members of the online advertising community. To this end, we have jointly drafted the following
Code of Conduct (the "Code") to provide guidance to each of our advertiser customers
("Advertisers"), Web publisher customers ("Publishers") and software download technology
providers ("Technology Providers") regarding the use of certain downloadable shopping
software applications.
The Service Providers involved in drafting this Code recognize that consistent enforcement of
the Code is critical to its adoption and acceptance as an industry standard, and to the ultimate
accomplishment of the Service Providers' goals of maximizing efficiency and vitality in the
online advertising business segment. Each Service Provider has committed to enforcing the Code
through means consistent with its own business operations and practices, and to communicating
and cooperating with its customers regarding enforcement and interpretation of the Code.
Furthermore, the Service Providers recognize that notwithstanding a Service Provider's
application of the Code, each Advertiser retains the right to choose whether or not to work with a
Publisher even if they are in compliance with the Code.
Notwithstanding their commitment to enforcement, the Service Providers recognize that
Publishers and Technology Providers must be given sufficient time in order to modify their
business practices to comply with the Code. Accordingly, enforcement of the Code will begin
immediately, however, companies that are found to be non-compliant may be given up to sixty
(60) days to bring their activities into compliance. Grace periods for compliance with this Code
do not supercede any pre-existing contractual obligations of Publisher.
While the Code of Conduct is intended to address many, if not all, of the major concerns raised
by all interested parties, the practical aspects of drafting such a document make it impractical to
cover all issues that may arise. As such, in addition to adherence to the Code of Conduct, all
Publishers and Technology Providers are expected to perform their advertising and referral
services with honesty and integrity in any situation not specifically covered by the Code.
Other interested industry parties are encouraged to adopt or endorse this Code.
Be Free, Inc., a ValueClick Company
W. Blair Heavey, Executive Vice President &
General Manager
Commission Junction, Inc.
Jeffrey A. Pullen, President & CEO
Performics Inc.
James Crouthamel, President & CEO
PUBLISHER CODE OF CONDUCT
The following actions, practices and conduct, whether active or passive, direct or indirect, are
prohibited:
• Interference with referrals. No Web publisher ("Publisher") or software download
technology provider ("Technology Provider") may interfere with or seek to influence
improperly the referral of a potential customer or visitor ("End-User") to the Web site of an
online advertiser ("Advertiser"). No Publisher or Technology Provider will automatically
replace or alter any component of a Service Provider's technology that results in a reduction
of any compensation earned by another Publisher. For example, a Publisher or Technology
Provider may not use methods or technology to automatically replace a Service Provider's
tracking identifier of another Publisher with its own Service Provider's tracking identifier or
otherwise intercept or redirect an End-User from being referred by another Publisher.
Publisher may notify an End-User once that End-User has arrived at the Advertiser's Web
site of an opportunity to utilize technology employed by that Publisher and obtain the End-
User's consent via affirmative action upon each occurrence to proceed with the operation of
such technology. Implementation of software application functionality requires that the
notification be easily understood by the average End-User, that it occurs on each instance
that the functionality is to be activated, and that it is not objectionable to the Advertiser.
• Altering another Publisher's site. Publishers may not alter, change, substitute or modify the
content of or appearance to an End-User of another Publisher's Web pages, use that
Publisher's content to obtain an End-User referral, or obstruct access to another Publisher's
Web pages (regardless of receiving permission from the End-User).
• Software installation and de-installation. Publishers may not bundle downloadable
shopping software applications with other applications, whereby the installation and deinstallation
is not obvious, easy or complete. Licensing and terms of all software downloads
and applications of any type must be clearly presented to and accepted by the End-User, and
de-installation must be obvious, easy and complete.
Definitions:
1. A Publisher Link is a link to an Advertiser where an active affiliate relationship exists with
one of the undersigned affiliate service providers and that:
Links to any of the following domains:
• bfast.com • cc-dt.com
• qksrv.net • commission-junction.com
-or-
Contains a parameter named 'afsrc' set to any value.
e.g.
http://www.mysite.com/redirect?offerid=12345&afsrc=1
This ‘afsrc’ parameter option is provided to address the case where affiliates modify or mask
the links provided to them from the affiliate service providers and it becomes impossible to
determine that they are affiliate links based on their appearance.
2. A Publisher Web Page contains a Publisher Link and is part of a website where an
Advertiser and the Publisher have an active affiliate relationship.
First Published: December 10, 2002
Amended: February 10, 2003
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