I just stumbled across this article today from the new York Times where it was stated by president of CJ; Jeff Pullen, the president of Commission Junction, a company that helps link affiliates with Web sites, said that he was not inclined to cut off companies that divert commissions if the customer has agreed to the diversion. ''The tactics that they use, maybe they're on the edge,'' he said. ''Maybe, personally, I don't find them particularly attractive. But if they aren't illegal, it's hard for me to point to my public service agreement and say, 'I have a reason to kick you off my network.' '' This is a very interesting article that talks about the threats on affiliate sites with Stealware. They are a lot of major companies that are using stealware to steal your referrals. Read the full article here: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E2D61E39F934A1575AC0A9649C8B63
So, now it's official. CJ has been hiding under that flimsy excuse for years. I almost said "frau.....nt" instead of "flimsy". I'll bet they use that as a marketing enticement to sign up unethical merchants. The customer agrees to the "diversion". my eye! The customer hasn't a clue. Makes my blood boil. Shareasale puts up a good fight against this practice.
Yes, I agree, the customer has no idea that they are downloading this, and even if it is mentioned it does not state exactly what it does. At least some companies are doing things about it, as mentioned in the artilce, "Last week, Amazon cut off affiliate payments to Morpheus, one site that employs the shopping software, said an online executive. Coldwater Creek, an online clothing store, has also blocked Morpheus." I am glad some businesses are taking a stand.
Since the article has a dateline of September 27, 2002, I wonder why the NYT is still running it. Was it featured today?
I think what makes my blood boil even more are the number of affiliates who don't think this exists. Maybe reading the article will make them see how much of their hard work goes into the pockets of these crooks. This happens daily to your commissions-just kiss a percentage of them goodbye. Good post Jordan.
For what it's worth, what can we really do about it? Short of banding together and protesting CJ, which will effectually be shooting ourselves in the foot. Like Ebay, CJ is going to side with the big shots over the small fries any day of the week.
Ghoulardi...read the article if you haven't already. it mentions a three major players. Google stealware or parasites.If you don't know of affliliate forums that talk about this subject at length,message me and i'll give you one I frequent. Don't think its appropriate to mention it here. NicholeB... Not sure how we would be shooting ourselves in the foot by getting our fair commissions.I doubt that there would be a banding together,but it could happen. I would certainly join if it did. I do however think everyone should be more aware of the problem. It has the potential to ruin the system. As these programs and companies get bigger they get greedier.If they aren't somehow checked, where will it end?
Just to make sure I have this correct: I can remove this from my PC but as an affiliate I'm still affected by this stealware if the person passing through my affiliate site has it installed on their PC, correct? Now that we "realize this is a problem"? More like now that we realize we've been caught. These techniques may be "on edge"? How is this not stealing? JB