TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Meta Tags and trademarks From:Arlen P Walker <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 30 Apr 1999 12:12:00 -0500
The confusion around the possibility of using trademarked terms in meta tags
for web sites (for the purpose of attracting visitors via search engines) is
clearing up. The Ninth Circuit issued a verdict recently that is probably going
to stand as definitive.
The gist of it is, you can't do it, unless there is a legitimate reason. You
can't put
trademarked terms of a competitor in your meta tags for indexing your site
unless
you have been given the right to do it, or unless you make a legitimate
reference to
those trademarks in your content, as in making a direct comparison.
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 224
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
----------------------------------------------
In God we trust; all others must provide data.
----------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
If JCI had an opinion on this, they'd hire someone else to deliver it.
