I would be interested in your opinions about a problem that is looming for probably a good number of us..... I have several travel web sites that feature travel articles about everything from cruises to hotel accommodation and naturally, I am using the names of particular cruise lines, cruise ships, hotel chains etc (only where applicable) in the description and keyword meta tags. eg. if the article is about an Alaska Cruise with Crystal Cruises, I will use those terms in the URL, and the meta tags.

I am now getting threatening letters from a hotel chain "demanding" that I remove their trademark hotel chain name from my web site meta tags and URLs.

Nevermind that my web pages support and promote the hotel chain in question, they get the revenue from any bookings - doen't this open the floodgates for litigation here - where does this stop? If I write an article about British Airways - I can't use the name in my meta tags? Or an article about Windstar Cruises? Where does this stop, or end?

I'd really be interested to hear your opinions on this.

Thanks!

You are free to choose any words you want in your meta tags as long as they are relevant to the page. The worst I can imagine happening is that they will require to add a "TM" or "R" after their name.

This is important question. Actually, if a company owns a trademark, it has a right to ask you to either remove the brand name from your ads or mention their company name/URL address of their site. Why? To make sure customers who browse through your site get valid information.

And from customers' point of view that is honest - they have a right to know that information on your site is correct and they have a right to find out information about actual brand owner.

From the other site, yes, you advertise these companies' services. The main concern of companies that protect their trademark from possible illegal use and prevent third companies from taking part of revenue. I hope that is understandable.

Thanks to ngseo and X-cart for your input - really appreciate you taking time to respond.

As to hairygunther and his abusive and unsubstantiated and thoroughly unpleasant post - best ignored I guess - not worth more time than to simply dismiss.