888 / Casino On Net Condoning Site Scraping & Copyright Theft?

[Webzcas]

Bank Holiday Weekend and no response from the 888 Rep on CAP yet. I am hoping headway can be made tomorrow. It really is in 888's interests to treat the affiliate communities concerns seriously.

The two issues they need to address now:

1) Blog Spamming. Why do they actively participate in this?

2) Support of Site Scrapers. Why are 888, dragging their heels in shutting down the people behind these thousands of scraper sites which in turn promote their brands.

By not taking action against these individuals and continuing to pay them, is sending out a loud message that 888 supports copyright theft on a very large scale.

[caruso]

I've read nothing in this thread as affiliate problems don't exactly motivate me, but having chatted with a friend about this issue it seems that Cassava may be in breach of their eCOGRA credentials, and that eCOGRA should be notified about the matter and be encouraged to pull the plug on whatever stunt Cassava are pulling here. If Cassava are actually breaching copyright, this is an open and closed case.

[Casinomeister]

I've read nothing in this thread as affiliate problems don't exactly motivate me...

Odd that you should say that when you are an affiliate yourself. But besides that, you should realize that this is not simply an affiliate issue. This deals with copyright and trademark violations committed by affiliates of 888.com and possibly 888.com itself. It has nothing to do with if Joe Blow affiliate received his affiliate check on time.

You should also note that the webmasters who have voiced their opinions on this issue are not affiliates of 888.com.

You need to get with the program, Caruso - this is a serious issue that concerns everyone.

[caruso]

It has nothing to do with if Joe Blow affiliate received his affiliate check on time.

Where did I say it was? I said affy issues don't bother me much so I hadn't read the thread at that point. I wasn't accusing anyone of being affiliate whores.

You know me well enough to know I'd never do that.

You need to get with the program, Caruso - this is a serious issue that concerns everyone.

I know where my priorities lie and where they don't, and I don't need anyone telling me anything about them in any shape or form.

I see now the eCOGRA subject has been raised, and deflected because it's not a "player issue". I disagree that this is the case. If this "scraping" is causing non gambling related content searches ending up directing said customers to Cassava, then this is a player / public issue, and not an affliate issue. Anything which targets potential customers is a "player issue".

But besides that, you should realize that this is not simply an affiliate issue. This deals with copyright and trademark violations committed by affiliates of 888.com and possibly 888.com itself.

Exactly.

I'll be urging eCOGRA to get involved on the above basis. They are in the number one position to do absolutely anything Cassava-related.

[Casinomeister]

I know where my priorities lie and where they don't, and I don't need anyone telling me anything about them in any shape or form.

Well dude, if you jump into this thread making comments like this:

I've read nothing in this thread as affiliate problems don't exactly motivate me...

..you're going to get told to get with the program whether you like it or not.

And please don't derail the thread with another eCOGRA downward spiral. Feel free to begin a separate thread if you'd like - thanks!

[soflat]

I've read nothing in this thread as affiliate problems don't exactly motivate me, ...

Well I did read the whole thread. The first post claimed it was an issue that affects players. But I haven't seen anything but affiliate talk.

[Webzcas]

Well I did read the whole thread. The first post claimed it was an issue that affects players. But I haven't seen anything but affiliate talk.

Well I am of the opinion that copyright theft, blog spamming and spamming the search engines are all methods which are not only unethical and wrong, but bring the industry into disrepute.

Particulary at a time when many congressmen are openly trying to ban online gambling in the US. Site Scrapers & to a lesser extent blog spammers help paint a less than attractive picture of the industry.

Whilst this is primarily a webmaster issue. It is important that players are aware of any dubious marketing activities that they may engage in.

[caruso]

And please don't derail the thread with another eCOGRA downward spiral. Feel free to begin a separate thread if you'd like - thanks!

Will do. Seems counter-productive, when the issue is this one and it'll also splinter the thing in two, but whatever.

[dominique]

Well I did read the whole thread. The first post claimed it was an issue that affects players. But I haven't seen anything but affiliate talk.

Content thieves do not only target casino terms.

They use programs to create tens of thousands of sites, which they list under all kinds of subjects in search. All they need is one click per site.

All you need is some politician's wife looking for games for their 5 ear old kid and having an 888 casino front thrown in her face instead, or some similair scenario.

THAT hurts everyone. You may not care about the internet being a cesspool of theft because of these people, but having the US law changed because of them WILL affect you. If gambling online actually does become illegal, casinos will fold, be unable to pay, and believe you me, players will suffer.

[Webzcas]

Dom, well put!

All you need is some politician's wife looking for games for their 5 ear old kid and having an 888 casino front thrown in her face instead, or some similair scenario.

Bingo! Seriously, anyone who enjoys a punt, a game of poker, or a spin of the slots online based in the US, who is concerned about HR4777 and no doubt the spin offs, should be concerned about what the likes of 888 are allowing their rogue affiliates to do.