Is it possible to block competitors from buying keyword phrases?

[bnicolas]

It seems like a lot of the big franchises have done this, when I google reemacks, prudential I'm seeing no PPC ads (cntry dos uno) doesn't seem to have taken the same measures

[bnicolas]

is it against Googles TOS to buy kw phrases that have your competitors names?

from this article it sounds like it isn't illegal at least:
http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2010...f-privacy.html

[abcharlton]

It was against the TOS to use competitor trademarks in your ad, but then they changed it to a free-for-all. I'm not sure what the current TOS is because it changes too much. I say go for it.

[bnicolas]

I think certain companies must pay google a fee so that when their name is googled no ads show up, try googling for reemacks, then try googling for any other big name franchise and you will see what I mean...

[abcharlton]

I don't know if they pay Google. If it is true that Google doesn't allow remax ads, it's more likely that remax has gone after them in court for trademark infringement for allowing their competitors to run those ads and Google has stopped running them to avoid the hassle.

[NealRM]

I really doubt that trademark infringement has much to do with it. If the ad does not use a trademarked term, symbol or implies they are affiliated with the product there is not much of a case for trademark infringement.

You may also note if you do a search for "ReMax™" that under suggested searches Goggle suggests "Century 21™", "Prudential™" and "Coldwell Bankers™"

I think it is more likely that the company has decided to buy out the ad space or that the competition doesn't think it is worth buying.

[Joelrunner]

My rep informed me that some companies have requested that Google not allow bids on their trademarked term. It's not as easy as that, but I've noticed the same. I usually bid on them, and then just delete the terms if I'm not allowed to bid on them.

[bnicolas]

This perplexes me. How is it that for the time period 6/10/10=>6/24/10 I have 1806 impressions and 3 clicks at $1.09/click when the kw phrase "remacks" (properly spelled of course ) clearly shows no PPC ads...

[realatrends]

I have seen others buy keywords with competitors names in the keyword.

[JohnWoodward]

I know I got a call from relax corporate for some scapped ads that were still around from the 1990's in the mid-atlantic...I have been in FL for 12 years. They wanted me to take them down...I told them I didn't pu them there and their best course would be to contact the sites themselves. The point is, they do protect their names and it would not be a wise, long term approach to advertise anything "spammy" like another company. Not worth it and it could be considered trickery by those who respond to the ad.