Information on the CAUBE.AU logo program for merchants

The merchant logo program is open to any organisation that requests email addresses, most notably any organisation that collects such addresses via a web page. Use of the merchant logo requires that the merchant agree to the terms of the merchant program and requires that the merchant comply with its requirements.

A participant in the merchant logo program may use this logo on forms which collect email addresses. Customers can be assured that if they see this logo on a merchant's web forms that the merchant has agreed not to spam.

Web based merchants have a well known problem with people backing out of sales when they get to the final order form. Privacy and security concerns have frequently been cited as reasons for this, and we know from Consumer Attitudes To Privacy, that when Australian consumers talk about privacy in the context of merchants, they are talking about unwanted marketing intrusions.

By participating in the CAUBE.AU merchant logo program, a vendor is making a promise to the customer that they will not use the customer's email address for marketing purposes of any kind unless the customer has given them permission, and knows that they have given this permission. Where the logo is used on a sales transaction form, this promise forms part of the terms of sale. Participants can also be listed in the CAUBE.AU Spam Free Mall, where customers who want to avoid spam can find vendors who have pledged not to spam.

The terms of the merchant program have been designed so as to provide genuine assurance to consumers while not being excessively onerous on participants.