Hi, I just saw this well-known website using CSS styled Adsense ad blocks, and I think it's great but I'm not sure if this violate TOS since the adsense code can not be manipulated. have a look: http://ezinearticles.com/?Requirements-to-Become-a-Lawyer&id=1414651 When you mouse over the link title is becomes yellow, and the url as well. Also the font type has been changed. Any comment on this? Thanks.
They are premium publishers and have more privileges than a normal publisher. For a normal publisher, its definitely a violation of TOS.
you need to fill certain criteria that hasn't been really disclosed, mostly it's for large organizations and companies and usually Google approaches them. You get the ability to integrate ads better, there's also premium membership which entails smaller publishers which high earnings or conversions to have their own account manager - again they contact you about it, it's not something you can apply for.