Why are CJ so quiet on Malcious Software

[Luca Brasi]

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As CJ were unwilling to post in the forum I requested a personal response via e-mail regarding their position on spyware.

This was the response:

"Commission Junction introduced the Publisher Code of Conduct just over 18 months ago in Dec 2001 in conjunction with two other affiliate networks who wished to take part in creating this industry standard. As Commission Junction network is one global network, this Code Of Conduct is applicable across the entire network.

The Commission Junction compliance team takes the necessary steps to ensure that publishers within the CJ network are adhering to this Code of Conduct.

As a network, we monitor all business processes and ensure they are up to date and meet market needs. "

The code of conduct is quite lengthy so'll post it in 2 stage below:

[Luca Brasi]

PUBLISHER CODE OF CONDUCT

The Publisher Code of Conduct, along with its preamble, which describes the intended implementation of the code, is reproduced below and is also available on all three service providers' sites.

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 advertiser-supported 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 any 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

[Luca Brasi]

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 de-installation 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.
First Published: December 10, 2002

[Luca Brasi]

Maybe we should gather some examples - of which there are many as to how and why these companies are breaking this code of conduct and why this code of conduct doesnt go far enough?

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Why not write our own rules that the network has to abide to and are financially accountable to....it's not a one way street.

There is quite a bit of speculation as to who actually wrote the rules and to the advantages of whom.

[Supercod]

The rules if you ask me just make it so BeFree, CJ and the other can go.. look they are inside these guidelines so they are cool in our books.. When the guidelines have been done in such away as to let these people get away with all that is wrong. So I agree, the affiliates should make the rules on this issue, well at least be part of the discussion on how they are set up and agree to them before they go live and they should be keep very plain and simple.. don't steal from the merchants, don't steal from other affiliates, don't pop adverts on sites you do not own, don't distract people from what they are doing on other affiliates it's, don't intercept or change clicks to merchants and bounce them via your own affiliate link and so on.

[Shane]

bit like being married and whilst your vows were :

"love ...honour .. obey ...cherish" etc..

her's were :

"will do your brother on saturday ... the football team on a sunday... ...and work in the massage parlour monday to friday"

CJ can T&C all they like and how they like... but sitting there on the throne like king canute at the shore aint gonna buy them any favours is it..

We can just choose to NOT accept the T&C's any longer if they won't change them to suit the way the industry is (and MUST be) moving,

[spyder]

deleted - duplicate

[spyder]

<<<<<<<<<<<
...... don't pop adverts on sites you do not own
<<<<<<<<<<<
CJ really do this? To think that I was just about to go and add a whole lot of cj links.

Visitors to one of my websites are mainly US based - is there a good alternative to CJ for the US market?

[drooper]

Hello.

The only large adware-free network in the U.S. is shareasale (S.A.S.).
http://www.shareasale.com

Unfortunately the thing shareasale are infested with is dodgy merchants but they have recently introduced EPC stats and page generators.

In a couple of years I predict that S.A.S. will be the leading U.S. network.

[spyder]

<<<<<<
Unfortunately the thing shareasale are infested with is dodgy merchants
<<<<<<
Talk about the proverbal devil and the deep blue sea!

[Matt The Hat]

Just be vigilant. People will say they are not spyware sites, when they are.