That's SUCH a loaded question.
The thing is PERCEPTION in 9/10 of the law in affiliate marketing.
I don't know if they are currently doing anything unethical or overwriting any affiliate cookies. However 2 things concern me with any company that has a download app.
NOTE: My comments below are regarding ANY rebate and shopping rewards sites that have toolbars - not the company you mention in particular.
1) They (see note above) have the potential to change the way the software works on the fly. Could be kosher today and not tomorrow.
2) In many affiliate's minds once a company is labeled a parasite they will continue to carry that stigma whether the company is clean or not.
If I managed an affiliate program there is no way I would let ANY affiliate in that had a toolbar/download app PERIOD! I don't care if they are currently overwriting or not. Some say they aren't and it's proven they are. Some affiliates think some do overwrite, when they really don't.
My viewpoint is that I don't have time to research every parasite on an ongoing basis, so in the interest of being fair to honest regular web based affiliates - I'm not going to let anyone in that has even the POTENTIAL to overwrite another affiliates cookies.
I find it very easy to make ethical decisions when I just think about "do unto others". If you were a full-time affiliate that relied on getting paid for everything that's coming to you, how would you feel knowing your merchant could be partnering with other companies that even possibly could be stealing from you? Maybe I take it too far, but that's just how I feel.
FYI when I took over management of one affiliate program, 1st thing I did was can every single parasite (or alleged parasite or any company with a previous rep as a parasite.) My sales didn't go down. They went up by 400% month after month!
Oh I could go on and on and write a book on this topic, but you just asked a short simple question, so I'm saving my carpal and stopping now.
REALLY good blog you should read - the most important info is down in the comments section by Kellie from
Affiliate Fair Play who is
the EXPERT on who's doing what in the parasitic/contextual/adware marketing space.
Vinny Lingham’s Blog » Can parasite affiliates massively affect other affiliates?