Digitalpoint sued by Ebay

[spikeZ]

It depends - if he did it then he should be nailed for it, if he didnt and just happened to be a beneficiary of the SCAM then that was really unlucky

Anyway - further discussions here: http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568382

[Jun Valasek]

I don't really have any idea about the cookie stuffing... can anyone explain?

[spikeZ]

sure

Overview & Summary

Affiliate tracking systems are intended to pay commissions to independent web sites ("affiliates") when users click through these sites' links to affiliate merchants. Merchants are not intended to pay commission when users merely visit affiliates' sites. Instead, commission ordinarily only becomes payable in the event that a user 1) visits an affiliate's site, 2) clicks through an affiliate link to a merchant, and 3) makes a purchase from that merchant.

However, some affiliates use "cookie-stuffing" methods to cause affiliate merchants' tracking systems to conclude that a user has clicked through a tracking link (and to pay commissions accordingly) even if the user has not actually clicked through any such link. If the user subsequently makes a purchase from that merchant -- immediately, or within the "return days" period specified by the merchant's affiliate program -- the affiliate then receives a commission on the user's purchase.

[Jun Valasek]

Hmmm... another useful information that would certainly fill another space in my memory.. thanks

[Dan Schulz]

I'm shocked how widespread this is being done by members of forums including this one. Image tags in posts pointing to affiliate URLs in the hosting review forum have shown up here, on DP and many forums... that's members trying to cookie stuff. Anyone that views the thread is cookied with their referral ID until someone notices and a moderator deletes the image.

If anyone sees this activity taking place here on SitePoint, please report it to us immediately by clicking the red triangle on the left sidebar near the bottom of the post.

Thanks.

[Jun Valasek]

If anyone sees this activity taking place here on SitePoint, please report it to us immediately by clicking the red triangle on the left sidebar near the bottom of the post.

Thanks.

I think there is another thread in promotion folder... don't worry, we can help.. if you take a look at my new post in SEO forum, sitepoint did a real good job in the quality of traffic...not quantity...

[alemcherry]

Cant believe Shawn really did it! Could it be that some members did it and Shawan being held responsible?

[Jun Valasek]

There is a similar thread in DP and I just banned for asking question

"Who is the culprit. Shawn or the members?"... LOL

[TheOriginalH]

Cant believe Shawn really did it! Could it be that some members did it and Shawan being held responsible?

It could be - but that isn't the way the case is being presented in that article. If he is being "stitched up", then someone really had it in for him. Seems odd that they'd use his affiliate ID AND go to lengths to "deceive and defraud" if they actually wanted the scam discovered. Unless they're very very devious indeed....

[Tarh]

Another great reason to block first-party cookies (Firefox addon).

[electroskan.com]

Is he a member at SPF?

[Youngsmeagol]

This story seems a little odd to me. I think that it's probably more likely that Hogan is being sued for allowing affiliate stuffing on his forum by other members than him actually doing the stuffing himself.

The information on the lawsuit is very vague so I don't know.

[Tranny]

I hope Shawn can get out of this trouble..

I actually hope he gets what he deserves. If you're this greedy for money, may the hammer of justice strike hard upon your worthless flesh...

[Dan Schulz]

Is he a member at SPF?

Yes, he does have an account here. But please, don't go bugging him about the lawsuit.

[Dan Schulz]

I actually hope he gets what he deserves. If you're this greedy for money, may the hammer of justice strike hard upon your worthless flesh...

We don't know if he actually did it or not. Presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of your peers and all that.

[spence_noodle]

Blimey I've only just heard about this. Well if it all goes belly up then does that mean DP will be closed?

By the sounds of it the damages could reach a very large amount especially if ebay are involved.

I also cannot belive that members of SPF are using links to point to this kind of idea. We all must keep an eye out for these links.

[Jun Valasek]

Ebay always demand big amount of money... Tiffany paid a large amount...

[justinlorder]

I know digitalpoint but what is digital point solution ?

[atiq]

Another great reason to block first-party cookies (Firefox addon).

Thanks for teh tip.

[JimmyP]

What a dirty little trick!

[lukemeister]

We don't know if he actually did it or not. Presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of your peers and all that.

My thoughts too, curious to see how this plays out. Shocking news right now for sure.

[Dan Schulz]

I know digitalpoint but what is digital point solution ?

That is the name of the company behind the forums over there. It's a fully registered corporation, though I forget which state it was registered in (likely California, but I could easily be wrong).

[robmacleod]

Same company i think - hope they get both barrels

[peter_anderson]

I advise against posting in that thread at DP.

Crazy_Rob is out banning people who even try to insult Shawn for doing it.

[spence_noodle]

That is the name of the company behind the forums over there. It's a fully registered corporation, though I forget which state it was registered in (likely California, but I could easily be wrong).

Yep, they are based in CA.