[rlio]

The relevent text, for the lazy:

> We have a no-tolerance policy regarding the use of our trademarks or names (e.g., of Victoria's Secret, Victoria's Secret Pink, or Pink Nation) in metatags and/or hidden text. Specifically, the use of our trademarks or names in metatag keywords is trademark infringement, and the use of trademarks or names in page text, metatags, and/or hidden text for purposes of gaining higher rankings from search engines is unfair competition. Linking to any web page on this Web site is prohibited absent our express written permission. Associating or juxtaposing our Web site or its Materials (e.g., through framing or inline linking) with advertisements and/or other information not originating from our Web site is expressly prohibited.

[geargrinder]

Putting keywords in meta tags hasn't helped your site rank in Google for many years. Because so many sites abused it, they no longer use it in their algorithm. http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/keywords-meta-tag-in-web-searc...

[greenyoda]

Would the law actually consider the use of a trademark inside a meta tag, where people couldn't see it, to be an infringement? Has this legal theory ever been tested in a court?

[antidoh]

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=meta+tag+trademark

[greenyoda]

It looks like it depends on the context. If your web page is actually making a statement about Victoria's Secret (e.g., "our products are as good as theirs, but cheaper"), then it looks like putting their trademark into your meta tag would be allowed as fair use. But just adding their trademark to your meta tag to get a hit when someone searches for them could be considered infringement, since you're using the trademark to confuse the consumer into believing that your site is somehow associated with their trademark.