AfroSonic
09-27-2002, 11:24 AM
This is an article published today (Sept 27) in the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/27/technology/27FREE.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/27/technology/27FREE.html ) (registration is free)
The article states that KaZAa and the like leave an applet on the user's machine which replaces an affiliate's link ID with one of their own. Here are some excerpts:
"The diversion begins when consumers get software from the Internet that helps them swap music or other files, or find bargains online. As they install the software, they are asked whether they would also like to show support for the software maker by shopping through an online affiliate program. These programs typically give a percentage of each purchase back to the affiliate - in this case, the software maker - as a commission."
"What the consumers are not told clearly is that if they agree to participate, their computers may be electronically marked: all future purchases will look as if they were made through the software maker's site, even if they were not."
"In many versions of the software, a purchase will look as if it was made through the software maker's site even if the shopper came in through another site that has its own affiliate agreement with the online store in question. Those affiliate sites include small businesses and even charities that use affiliate links as fund-raisers."
Motherfuckers.
The article states that KaZAa and the like leave an applet on the user's machine which replaces an affiliate's link ID with one of their own. Here are some excerpts:
"The diversion begins when consumers get software from the Internet that helps them swap music or other files, or find bargains online. As they install the software, they are asked whether they would also like to show support for the software maker by shopping through an online affiliate program. These programs typically give a percentage of each purchase back to the affiliate - in this case, the software maker - as a commission."
"What the consumers are not told clearly is that if they agree to participate, their computers may be electronically marked: all future purchases will look as if they were made through the software maker's site, even if they were not."
"In many versions of the software, a purchase will look as if it was made through the software maker's site even if the shopper came in through another site that has its own affiliate agreement with the online store in question. Those affiliate sites include small businesses and even charities that use affiliate links as fund-raisers."
Motherfuckers.