Manwin changes terms of service of affiliate program.
Manwin isn’t going to protect its trademarks in .xxx by paying anything to ICM Registry, so it’s asking its affiliates not to register them, either.
A Domain Name Wire reader sent me a communication from one of Manwin’s programs, MofosCash.com (NSFW):
Hi All Webmasters,
It is very important that you read and understand the below change. If there are any questions, do not hesitate to contact your affiliate manager
Change to Section 9 of the Affiliate terms and conditions
9) Affiliate acknowledges and agrees that they shall not be entitled to a commission or referral fee for any and all referrals, which are in breach/violation of the terms of this agreement. Affiliate also acknowledges and agrees they shall not be entitled to a commission or referral fee from MofosCash.com or any subscription, which MofosCash.com in its sole and unfettered discretion determines, is the result of possible fraudulent activity. More specifically, Affiliate acknowledges and agrees that bidding on or purchasing any online paid advertising schemes or acquiring any domain names or URL’s in XXX that incorporate or are confusingly similar to any of MofosCash.com’s trademarks, service marks, or URLs including, but not limited to words or URLs such as “Mofos”, “Brazzers”, “Wicked” and/or “Twisty’s “, “RealityCash†or any other related trademarks, service marks, or URLs as determined by MofosCash.com’s in its sole discretion from time to time is hereby expressly prohibited. By way of example, such prohibited advertising schemes include pay-per-click models, sponsored links, search engine keywords, AdWords, or similar advertising schemes. In the event, that Affiliate does not comply with Section 9, MofosCash.com shall be entitled to reduce or cease the payout or payment amount otherwise due to Affiliate accordingly. In addition, family members and employees of the affiliate are not eligible as sign ups and any attempt to refer ineligible individuals to the program will result in immediate account termination.
NOTICE TO AFFILIATES
In accordance with your Affiliate Terms and Conditions Agreement, this notice is intended to confirm that acquiring any domain names or URL’s in XXX that incorporate or are confusingly similar to any of MofosCash.com’s trademarks, service marks, or URLs including, but not limited to words or URLs such as “Mofos”, “Brazzers”, “Wicked” and/or “Twisty’s “, “RealityCash†or any other related trademarks, service marks, or URLs as determined by MofosCash.com’s its sole discretion from time to time is expressly prohibited. In the event that you do not comply with this notice MofosCash.com’s shall be entitled to reduce or cease the payout or payment amount otherwise due to Affiliate accordingly.
Notice that it doesn’t say anything about affiliates not linking to its sites from .xxx. I’d kind of expect a ban on linking from .xxx sites based on what Manwin has told the press.
ManwinSucks.com says
So now they are using a power play against their users. I suppose it has to do with one of our latest insider posts at Manwinsucks.com.
We received information about a possible cyber attack on manwin. This attack would link manwin sites(forward) to XXX sites.Manwin was sent an email from us that they are being targeted by an unknown group. We hope they think it was us but we have no plans for things like this anytime soon.
All we know is there are some big players in the fight against manwin, to include the government. This SOPA crap sucks but companies like manwin are the ones who will suffer the most financially.
If anyone wishes to know the date these attackers plans to target manwin for a takedown, you can subscribe to our blog at manwinsucks.com. Send us your email and we will privately send you the info.
Cheers!
RK says
It is going to get tough for .xxx TLD imo.
It looks like a can of worms opening, one can at a time.
PS: Does manwin (or any of it’s sites) offer affiliate programs for adult domains? I can’t find any.
Thanks.
Mary says
I am glad to see someone has got principles, from day one, the adult industry opposed the .xxx domain, ICM should get their money from domainers and not decent porn sellers.
jennifer says
Look Manwin is just a good businessman.
He tried to buy his names in the .xxx namespace but ICM wanted a Kings Ransom.
So for revenge he goes on a kill the .xxx spree.
That way all his dot com domains will remain golden and not be diluted.
It may backfire on him if the porn surfers do not listen and start searching for sites on .xxx
He would be sol then.
Time will tell, the consumer always rules, no matter what some companies try to do.