Fsa

[retired_member32]

i have received a solicitor email about a generic insurance domain,i had a basic site up with a disclaimer about being an agent and not actually selling insurance,now this is a niche market and very little competition so having the generic domain it went straight to the pinnacle of google without very little work,now the solicitor says remove the site within 48 hrs(which i did)and they stated that it contravenes FSA rules and also stole there keywords :-? ,i did add a page with "site terms" and "privacy policy" stated that the site was for information only and not legal advice,i do actually think i could make a good income from the site if i could get the site going.

my question is do i actually need a consumer credit licence for being an affiliate?

what is the procedure for obtaining the right legal documentation for the site?

Mark

 

[armistice]

Who was the solicitor representing, one of the companies pushed down the google ranking?

The fsa page "do i need to be authorised" will help,
Do I need to be authorised?

 

[accelerator]

I think you'll also find past discussion of whether you need FSA authorisation at affiliates4u.com.

Rgds

 

[grantw]

If it contravenes FSA rules then surely that's for the FSA to decide, not some competitor? As for the stolen keywords, if it's targetting a specific niche then surely most sites within that niche will be using similar keywords.

On what grounds are they demanding that you remove the site?

All seems very odd to me!

Grant

 

[mojoco]

If it is purely generic and their concern is basically because they see you as being a competitor I would put the site back up. (once you check on the FSA position)

 

[retired_member32]

well basically it is that they own most of the top rankings in google and sponsered listings in different guises,i must of put there nose out of joint when i leaped over them.

the actual MD sent the email eventually......he sent it ten times and couldn't attach the letter via email using the attachment facility which i found amusing.

apparently if i get permission from a regulated company has an affiliate then if i put "representative of a regulated company" in the footer then i am covered for that thanking "pugyrob" for his research.

i will have to find an affiliate scheme now.

Mark

 

[grantw]

well basically it is that they own most of the top rankings in google and sponsered listings in different guises,i must of put there nose out of joint when i leaped over them.

If you're not yet part of an affiliate scheme then surely your site is just information at the moment?? Personally I'd put it back up straight away.

I still don't understand on what grounds they demanded you remove the site??

Grant

 

[redbird]

If you're not yet part of an affiliate scheme then surely your site is just information at the moment?? Personally I'd put it back up straight away.

I still don't understand on what grounds they demanded you remove the site??

Grant

Slightly difficult without seeing site/emails etc but if it was mine I'd put it back, tell them to complain to FSA and if the FSA tell you to take it down then you will although I suspect they are more likely to offer guidance.

For good measure I'd also report the solicitors to the Law society as well

 

[retired_member32]

 

[bb99]

Advertising Standards, as policed by the ASA do not apply to websites as such but they do apply to adverts on websites. If your website doesn't contain any adverts, the ASA won't be interested in any complaint.

IANAL, etc etc.

 

[grantw]

So basically you don't seem to be doing anything wrong to the company that's complaining (apart from bumping them down in google!) and I doubt very much that they have any legal right to demand that you take the site down - that would be down to the Agencies listed.

Personally I'd put the site back up, make sure it's conforms to whatever and then I'd take legal advice and go ballistic on them!

That's just my opinion of course and I'm far from a legal professional.

Grant

 

[redbird]

if it were me......

I'd call their bluff and tell them to report you, it sounds very much like they are trying it on. You could also send what you have to the FSA for their comments/advice and at the same time report them (presumably they are memebers) for their bully tactics as THEY have no rights to tell what you can and can't do on your own site (the FSA maybe but not them).

Just my opinion, not advice legal or otherwise

 

[mally]

whats the domain, I'm intrigued

 

[retired_member16]

SNIP

<Crappy letter from chancers>

I would have put that straight in the bin. They are trying it on.

 

[Skinner]

Loads of Chancers around at the moment throwing £50 note letters from solicitors around. Sort of Reverse Hijacking really ain't it ?

 

[devolution]

You could cite Malicious Communications Act - Malicious Communications Act 1988 (c. 27)

An Act to make provision for the punishment of persons who send or deliver letters or other articles for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

 

[namealot]

I'm a ceo of a company and I formally request you only hop, also ask any affliate or assosiated company that they also hop and send me your assurance that you will hop within the appointed time scale or I'll take approipiate action

“Appears to” Is a opinion not a legal fact,

“Formally request” please please please,

“Appropriate steps” they mean hold there breathe and stamp there feet,


Letter is not from a solicitor only says its copied and sent to them that means fiddly, Copying and sending a letter to any legal firm does not mean they are representing them?

Only a court, judge .etc can set a time limit on you doing something..

You don’t have to provide them with any email assurance or send them any acknowledgement at all They are nothing...

You have a right to privacy totally ignore them

http://fsahandbook.info/FSA/html/handbook/PERG/2/Annex1 might help

 

[BG]

If i was you... I'd give the name to me purely for being a nice guy

 

[GreyWing]

Mark you know I'll give you what you paid for it if it comes to it.

That name (if it is the same as we discussed) is so generic it is beyond a joke, although I would enjoy winding them up.

 

[redbird]

I think all the SEO experts on here should create loads of mini sites with the same keywords and all the links go to yours and then send the complainants site into google oblivion, whatch them complain then

Just my opinion....