[temphn]

In their defense, the problem with U-deals is no where near as obvious as the problem with spamming.

If they just offered a white label U-deal (get 20% off ice cream) without saying the brand, even if they had the particular brand in mind, that would be another possible fix.

Also, let's retain a sense of perspective. Napster was initially ethically shady, but because everyone did it ethics changed. Same with Youtube or Kazaa. Same with using Google or Bugmenot to bypass NYT or WSJ paywalls. Same with using Adblock or the Pirate Bay, or internet porn.

What was really bad and weird and out there became normalized and useful. Startups won't always get this right but it's better to have some mischief than total hidebound obedience to convention.