Marriott brands e-marketing practices as trademark abuse

October 24, 2005 |

As Travel Weekly reports, Marriott International is introducing sweeping new policies to curb what it sees as abuse of its trademarks. The move will alter the way online and offline travel sellers market the chain’s rooms.

Travel Weekly reports, that Marriott International is introducing sweeping new policies to curb what it sees as abuse of its trademarks. The move will alter the way online and offline travel sellers market the chain’s rooms.

The guidelines, backed by a range of enforcement actions, stipulate that “an online travel company may not use any Marriott trademark in the text or title of any paid search ad.”

This would apply to paid ads in search engines such as Yahoo and Google, travel research Web sites such as Expedia’s TripAdvisor and USBestHotels.com, and comparison shopping sites such as NexTag or Sidestep, the guidelines note.

Online travel companies, according to Marriott’s rules, “may not bid on keyword terms containing Marriott trademarks, whether alone or in conjunction with other terms.”

The guidelines go beyond paid search ads. For example, Web sites and Web pages must comply with Marriott’s Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee and are barred from using Marriott trademarks in tandem with such phrases as “substantial discounts,” “online exclusive rates,” “lowest prices,” “special rates” and “save 70%.”

Get the full story at Travel Weekly (free registration required)

Most Popular Articles

Does your hotel really need a social media strategy?
11 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

How TripAdvisor engages mass influencers
12 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

6 ways to drive more online travel sales in 2010
11 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

The need for a more holistic approach to revenue management
10 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Why should I open your e-mail?
09 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing

Google Marketplace drives corporate travel apps
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Starwood runs loyalty pilot program that targets rivals’ customers
15 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Hitwise: US travel website ranks, February 2010
08 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Online travel booking users exceeds 30 million in China
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

How have Web 2.0 & social media shaped online hotel marketing?
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Economic Downturn

Recovery over a year away, say European hotel executives
16 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

China expected to stimulate world travel economy in 2010
16 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

IATA sees brighter 2010 outlook
15 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Virgin America’s guide to not screwing up customer service
12 Mar, 2010 | Internet Marketing

UK travelers plan to take multiple trips abroad in 2010
09 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Un-stoppable growth in OTA bookings, GDS still lacking behind
05 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Global hotel prices dropped beyond 2004 levels during 2009
02 Mar, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Things are looking up for U.S. airlines
02 Mar, 2010 | Online Travel

Asia leads travel industry’s recovery
26 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

Meeting buyers see budget cutbacks ease
25 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Travel companies grapple with “new normal”
23 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

Europe likely to see recovery, not growth, says STR
22 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

Hogg Robinson Group sees early signs of recovery
22 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

US Travel growth expected in 2010
18 Feb, 2010 | Online Travel

IHG’s profit drops 18%, as hotel rates continue to fall
16 Feb, 2010 | Hospitality Industry

E-Mail Newsletter


Visit our sponsors: