Yahoo Ending Competitor Trademark Bids

As of March 1st, Yahoo Search Marketing will change its policy regarding bids for trademarks by competitive advertisers. After watching Mazda hijack the "Google Pontiac" campaign by purchasing Pontiac as a keyword in Google AdWords, Yahoo has taken steps to end the practice of bidding on trademarks by the competition. An email sent to such advertisers with Yahoo Search Marketing improve its search advertising relevance would take hold as new search algorithms debut later in 2006. The move delivers Yahoo a neatly packaged sales pitch its Overture team can deliver to current and potential advertising customers, particularly the powerful brand name owners in the marketplace. At Yahoo, Mazda won't drive away with your ad campaign as they did with Google's clients, Yahoo could easily say with a smile. document.write("Email murdok here.") Drag this to your Bookmarks. Add to document.write("Del.icio.us") | Yahoo! My Web David Utter is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business.