Freeway.net.ph – Huge clothing brand with a bad domain

in Affiliate Marketing Website Reviews by Francis Simisim — March 5, 2010 at 11:59 PM | 27 comments

In the Philippines, every business wants to advertise in EDSA (Main Road in Metro manila) with a Billboard. Passing by, I can’t help but notice the different domains that each business promotes. One particular domain that has caught my eye is Freeway, where their domain is Freeway.net.ph. I thought it was a bad domain that they’re promoting.

I have huge respects over different clothing lines in the Philippines, they’re multimillion businesses that has a huge budget for different marketing aspects. Freeway is more than a decade old and has established its brand since 1997 and has been a popular brand ever since and has a huge following in the Philippines. What disappoints me is that for such a huge company, why didn’t they do a little bit more on online marketing?

– Freeway’s Edsa Billboard –

Freeway needs to improve their Online marketing

Looking over their website, I can see that they’ve really spent money and time for it. It’s built in flash and has a really great interactive website. However, the domain is simply a bad domain for a huge business. .NET.PH is still something that not everyone is familiar about, a .PH or a .COM.PH would be a much better pick for them. What’s even worse is what I found upon researching their domain:

Freeway.PH and Freeway.COM.PH is not owned by the company. Freeway.PH is supposedly owned by a company in Nueva Ecija under Freeway Motor Sales Corporation; While Freeway.COM.PH is owned by an individual and is currently posting a wordpress blog that has disturbing images and a complaint against a certain High way. For a huge brand like freeway, a lot of the traffic are spilling over to the .PH and .COM.PH and can really damage the brand image when Freeway.NET.PH is not visited.

What I’d recommend to Freeway

They should secure or file a UDRP (if they own the trademark under Intellectual property) to get the domains. Freeway should simply get the .PH, .COM.PH and .ORG.PH to avoid domain squatters from getting the domain and profiting from their marketing campaigns. .NET.PH is still not hugely known in the Philippines, and its best to use what most people want so that traffic won’t be wasted and their campaigns are more effective.

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Tags: Domain Name freeway bad domain freeway clothing brand freeway domain freeway online marketing freeway philippines clothing brand freeway website freeway.net.ph freeway.net.ph website News Website

Author: Francis Simisim

Founder of TechFilipino, Tech Enthusiast, Internet savvy, and Gadget Explorer. I blog for what I enjoy and love doing. To know more please read more About Me. Twitter & Facebook or my other blog Menllionaire

Andre

you cant trademark a generic
i dont think the other domains are using it in bad faith.
i just get something different like freewayphilippines.com or something
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Andre: True, but they can contest it though. But the other extensions can really ruin their brand especially they’re an established player in their industry.
Eugene

freeway.ph has just expired. Nows the time to waitlist.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Eugene: It’s another business that owns freeway.ph. Hopefully Freeway fashion brand will go get it.
Disappointed Domainer

@F, I was disappointed at dotPH, the only registrar of the Philippines. I just found out that on the renewal of expiring domains on reseller’s accounts that it reverts back to the regular $35.00 per year cost. Though it could have been on the TOS when I signed in as a registrar, I just feel the pain of my customers when I told them that they are now getting the full price on their renewal. Whoever designed that program should be given a big bonus as he did a very good job for dotPH. But it was a big disappointment for my customer. As per their dotPH claim to have visitors in well over a million uniques per month on their unregistered domains, they must be really struggling to cover their operations if they can not even give their resellers and good customers a break. I can only guess how much revenue they are generating on their PPC campaigns.
They have a monopoly on the Philippine domain name industry and I hope that there are a lot of smart people in the organization to implement a program that can give local domainers a break. For a monopoly to have a program like that just leaves a bad impression to my customers. I would understand if they are in dire need of revenue. But, if their ROI is being met well over hundreds fold, then I don’t know how to term their strategy. I just feel the pain.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Disappointed Domainer: I haven’t experienced the renewal problems yet. But it seems to be unreasonable to increase just like that without informing resellers about it. It would be nice to have a dotPH clear this issue out?
Disappointed Domainer

@F, I will be losing a big client due to this policy. I wonder if this is the same reason why a big domainer is letting his names expire. Let us wait and see how this monopoly respond.
techfilipino do you know what you are saying?

Freeway is a famous rapper,how can freeway claim it when they do not even own any top level domains. freeway.com, freeway.net, and all other top level domains. freeway is a generic term. And it might be cheaper to offer to buy it than file a UDRP case that might be worth $5,000 . And it will most likely lose.
http://techpinoy techpinoy

Disappointed Domainer,
get in touch with me at
email@techpinoy.tk
I think I have a solution to your problem.
I know exactly what you mean.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Anonymous: ccTLDs are bound to our own countries, if Freeway owns the trademark locally then they can contest the domain. Of course, it will be more expensive but if the owner would not give then UDRP would be appropriate for their brand. If they can pay for a billboard in Edsa that costs a lot then $5k isn’t that much to protect their brand
Anonymous

techfilipino, the worst thing you can do as a domainer is broadcast to everyone and suggest that a corporation file a UDRP. 1st, it is non of your business. 2nd, it is a generic name and yes there is a freeway motors in the north, a distributor of cars. 3rd, the andre on top who made the 1st comment, if he is the Andre the domainer, holds more domain name that everyone else combined and he has some that can be considered trademarked names. worst than this case. why don’t you announce all of it to the whole world wise guy. I notice that aside from posting it at this website that you own, you have been posting it at multiple sites including a site owned by andre the domainer (topblogs). That is unethical for a self proclaimed domainer like you to do. It is obvious that you are a beginner and inexperienced. if you do that in the USA, they will kick your ass. Just a word of advice if you want to stay in the business, mind your own business. Otherwise all domainers wouldn’t want to have anything to do with you. Why don’t you post all the domains owned by andre, yours, hyun ok song, and everyone else and you will see the backlash you are looking for.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Anonymous: No offence, but I stand with what I said. If you worked so hard for your brand and spent millions in it, and just to see another website full of crap that wouldn’t be helpful. Now I’m not saying that everyone should just jump and file all the UDRP, but if that’s what it takes to protect your brand why not. Domainers are taught to stay away from trademarked domains, or probably those that are ethical..

btw as for the “Republishing” part, I don’t need to do it and it’s those websites that automatically aggregates and republishes my post.
Disappointed Domainer

@techpinoy, check your email. at email@techpinoy.tk
Let’s see what you have in mind. Hope you can help as I am about to lose a BIG client. dotPH’s monopoly pricing policy really sucks.
Digs

@andre, I received your email re: milestone of topblogs.
Good for you. Would love to get to that level. Way to go!
Congratulations.
http://clicnews.com Dart

What Iâ€™d recommend to Francis Simisim :
Think first what you post here because it is
selfish and witless of you to accuse others
of cyber squatting.
The thing is, you might be the one
who could be sued for suggesting such.
If you ask a lawyer, he would surely tell you
that posting it here on your own website such
a statement will be considered false and
malicious published statements.
Do you know what you are talking about?
Have you checked if it was trademarked?

Type I: Trademark (Words)
In every trademark applications,
there is always the term “disclaimer”.
It means you disclaim the right to a
particular word and this applies to generic terms.
If you like to Trademark the “Words”
then you need to have a disclaimer if it contains
generic terms.
Like “SM supermalls” is registered but
supermalls is “disclaimed”.
And when it is disclaimed then you do not have
any right to claim it for sole use.

Type II: Trademark (Design)
Trademarked names carrying a single generic term
only trademarks the design and not the name or
word contained perse,
that is the reason why included in the application
the word “and Design”,
otherwise it will never be approved.
Even though The application is “Freeway and Design”,
only “Freeway” appears on the Label and
“and Design” is not included or does not appear.
This is to indicate that it is the design
and not the word that is trademarked.
It’s forbidden to Trademark a Single Generic Term (Alone).
If it was “Freeway Apparel” and
you register ‘FreewayApparel.ph”,
then that would be contestable.

Just imagine if you were able to trademark “Women”,
for instance Women (the magazine)
was able to register it.
Does that mean you cannot use the domain “women.ph”?
or perhaps “Tribal the apparel” did not register “tribal.ph”,
does that mean no one can register Tribal.ph
and post pictures of tribal people
wearing nothing but ancient g-strings?
it is ridiculous,
and you look ridiculous for suggesting such.
How about the other domains below:

Domain smart.ph
Organization transhow.com, inc.

Domain globe.ph
Organization Hyun-Ok Song

Domain oxygen.com.ph
Organization Hyun-Ok Song

Domain iremit.com.ph
Organization seo.com.ph

Domain omega.com.ph
Organization xi jun

Domain gma.com.ph
Organization David Bruno

Domain gma.ph
Organization netph e-solutions

Domain aim.com.ph
Organization Michael T. Velasco

Domain aim.ph
Organization AIM Corporate Solutions, Inc.

Do you suggest that everyone mentioned above
should be filed a UDRP?
If globe owns globe.com.ph,
they don’t have the right to reverse hijack globe.ph
Even if the globe.ph has a website complaining
about the pollution of the entire globe.
Or if oxygen.com.ph post a sick person
inhaling a tank of oxygen.
Or worst, even if they post your picture at smart.ph
But perhaps aim.ph with you picture
in a bullseye design would be fine.
I hope you get the point.
I know you want to drive traffic to your website,
but do not do it at the expense of someone’s else website.
If I were you,
I will close this folder because it makes you look bad.
Not a single domainer here agreed with you.
Ask Andre, Hyun ok song, Bruno and yourself.
Sometimes you need to admit that you stepped over the line.
Do not meddle with someone’s else website.
Just mind your own.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@dart: you do present a good point. I apologize if I did step over your domain and what you’ve invested on.

But you see you do have to understand the business side as well, as you said, how would the customer feel about the brand if I saw that sick person you mentioned on the website that I thought was the brands. Anyways my point is that If you were placed yourself in the shoes of the brand that have invested a lot what would you have done? I’m not promoting UDRP stuff, as I personally don’t want it, but if that’s what it takes for someone to protect their brand then I’m sorry but I’ll tell them what I think.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@dart: I’ve thought about what you’ve said last night. And I’d like to add a few more thoughts that I have about it.

The domains that you’ve mentioned in your comment, like Smart.ph, GMA.ph etc. have made me realize that this is exactly what we’re portraying to our possible end users or advertisers. Why would domainers invest in words like that if it wasn’t searched highly? And why would it be searched highly? Because companies like them spend millions of their hard earned money to make it known. What would GMA mean if there wasn’t no TV station right?

Also have a look at this: http://techfilipino.com/opportunist-during-the-tough-philippines-weather-crisis-typhoon-ondoy-undoy-ketsana-and-typhoon-pepeng-parma/

Imagine during our time of great Crisis, someone was profiting from RedCross. Is this the image we want to show people about .PH? How does it make us look as investors of .PH?

Look at the domains, they’re all parked. If we’re trying to increase our value here and want to promote .PH, is what we’re doing as a whole helping our community? How will people look at us with respect if what we do if all they saw was these domains?

For us to increase our overall value as a business and a community, we all need to help each other out. But I’m really sorry that this is gone against my principles for this matter, We need to raise our value as a whole and not just ride on a brand name’s back. Try to understand it from the point of view of Companies.
http://dfwdiesel.net Anonymous

So you want to be known as the UDRP guy in the Philippines right? To believe it is one thing, but to broadcast it everywhere is another. You are saying that you care about corporations in the Philippines? You might as well list all the corporations in the Philippines who don’t pay their taxes. Name each one of them. Do you pay all your taxes in all your business deals 100%? If your neighbor didn’t pay their taxes correctly, are you the kind of guy who will post it all over the web and name names? Because if they didn’t pay taxes, they robbed the entire Filipino’s f tax collection and where those taxes should have been used. Why don’t you post Andre’s domains here that has a seemingly trademarked name as well. Why don’t you post here if Andre has paid his taxes correctly from domains he have sold? You want to look clean at the expense of other people trying to look like a wise guy. I checked your info details. Do you pay proper salary to your masseuse or masseurs at minimum wage at least with proper taxes and benefits? I bet you pay them below minimum wage and just expect them to earn more from generous tips from customers. Do you make them regular employees after 6 months or do you throw them to other branches to escape from employment regulation? Are you an angel? Why don’t you list your self and name names? As I told you, just mind your own business. Before you throw stones toward other people, look in the mirror 1st and probably smash your face on it.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@anonymous: LOL, so you do agree that it was registered for those reasons. From Domaining to taxes and wages, I’m simply starting to get lost with what we’re arguing about. There’s really no point discussing much about it as you have your points and I have mine, we’re simply not meeting halfway.

I’m not trying to be a hero and protect and save all companies, of course we all have our own agendas. My agenda is for us to make it big and get big money rolling in by building up better end users and advertiser relationship. And I’m sure you have your own agenda.

I’m sure that you do make a lot thru the traffic that it gives and it’s not my intention to take that away from you or indirectly threaten your business with my post. Again, I do apologize for having stepped over your domain.
http://www.kazza.com Anonymous

Francis Simisim, you should change your nic from techfilipino to impotechFilipino. You don’t seem to understand the point. That there are more than 5 companies with the word “freeway” in the Phil. The other websites are being used legitimately. Indeed, roads here should be free if there is no corruption. That road leading to baguio has been there for over 50 years. It was previously just 3 bucks that suddenly jumped to 36 bucks. The complaint is valid since just an 8 kilometer run cost 40 bucks, one way. Just imagine what residents in that area must feel when they need to use that road every single day, 2 way. That is 2,500 bucks extortion per month. The 1st exit up to the 3rd exit are all priced the same. Those people living in the 1st exit that are mostly middle class are forced to subsidize all the other users for the 2nd,3rd and succeeding exits all because of more voters consideration. On the south side, that same distance just cost 11 bucks. Don’t you think it it a legitimate complaint for a website? And this complaint falls on deaf ears for years. You do not live in the area, so you do not know what you are talking about.
What you are doing is like suggesting to a bully to grab the bag of someone’s else simply because it looks the same. You are suggesting that 2 groups fight it out for no apparent reason at all. Who are you to say what is legitimate or not? It is like 2 neighbors living in harmony, until you came along. You whisper to the other guy to slug it out with the other. You are inviting trouble. Either way, both parties will spend money, win or lose. And all because of you Mr. Francis Simisim.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@Anonymous: Easy now, no need to take it to a personal level. You’re right I really don’t know what you’re saying as I don’t pass by that area nor do I know of those complaints.

But going back to domaining, You’re right I’m the destroyer of peace, and I apologize for doing that. I probably didn’t think about my actions and started to shake up that harmony that you had. You do have your way of doing things and I have mine so who am I to compare. Right TechPinoy?
http://freeway.com.ph TechPinoy

check it out, go north and pay 36 bucks just to go to the 1st exit and then pay again 36 bucks going back. Do you know how short that road is? it is the same distance from fort bonifacio to paseo de roxas buendia. haven’t you read any article about that? The most expensive pay toll in the Philippines. That is the exact road, an 8 kilometer stretch for 36 bucks 1 way. And the website is not even a PPC website, there is zero ads on that site. go north, try it and see for yourself. Ask the pay toll lady if it is true that the first 3 exits are all priced the same. The 1st exit is just 8 kilometers, the 1st to 2nd is around 12, and the 2nd to 3rd is around 15 kilometers. Why the heck are they priced equally? you go south, the fee to bicutan, sucat alabang are different and cheaper. The elevetaed skyway which is expensive to build is just 50 bucks.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@TechPinoy: I understand we all know how things are here, but of course, I don’t know how we are being ripped of thru Tollgates around your area, I rarely pass by them.

Just a suggestion TechPinoy, why not make a website dedicated to that complaint and encourage users to discuss and talk about that type of extortion? As opposed to having a rapper on the site with the complaint on the bottom. It would be a totally different website and the best part is that it would be seen more useful than how its left today. Do you agree?
http://freeway.com.ph TechPinoy

just to make things clear.
It is not my website, but i do know him personally since we live in the same area.
And I support the guy but he is too busy to create a better website.
Who are you to say how a website should look?
Why do you keep on meddling with other peoples business?
Lastly, the said road is not 8 kilometers but just 5 kilometers. The 1st 3 kilometers is the approach and is not included in the pay toll. In other words, those people who travel 5 kilometers 2 ways in and out of their house to work everyday are being forced to pay 2,500.00 every month. A neighbor whose driver bring their kids to school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon needs to pass that road 4 times minimum which cost 5,000.00 every month.
since you suggested to change the website, would you do it for them for free? since they are doing it for free for the community as well.
it is an extortion of some sort.
forcing hard working middle class people to subsidize everyone else.
however in the south, it is the other way around.
Those living farther (Ayala Alabang) are richer than those living near Makati like bicutan and sucat. And so, there is no need to subsidize anyone. Thus, toll fee are per kilometer of usage.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

@TechPinoy: It’s really so so difficult to discuss with you. I was merely giving a friendly suggestion to change it into a different website and not implying that you should do it while you give me such a hostile answer. Anyways, I wouldn’t meddle with your “Friend’s” business. Again, I really do not know whatever it is that you have in Alabang, Makati or Bicutan, it is not my business. This talk isn’t going anywhere, discussion closed.
TechPinoy

Mr. Francis Simisim a.k.a. TechFilipino. Is Andre your friend? why don’t you post here that he owns friendster.com.ph? comparing freeway and friendster, i think friendster.com.ph is the one you should post here. freeway is obviously a generic term while friendster is not. Are you afraid of him? is Mr. Francis Simisim afraid of Mr. Andre Marcelo Tanner? you pick on the small guys but shut your mouth on the big guys? Why don’t you create a new Thread of postings just for the domains owned by Mr. Andre? Are you “chicken”? So what can you say about Mr. Andre tanner owning friendster.com.ph? why don’t you post it in topblogs as well? don’t turn a blind eye wise guy.
http://www.gangventures.com TechFilipino

Check my last comment, discussion closed.