Interesting news for Domain players: Google might lose trademark protection - GoFuckYourself.com

$5 submissions · 07-07-2006, 03:02 AM

Google name might lose trademark protection due to it's trademark becoming common public parlance.

Practical implication for webmasters/domain players: Current federal law protects against retaining domains that have trademarked elements. IF the trademark protection disappears due to the mark entering the common common vocabulary, the legal protection against such domain registrations disappears. This might have already happened since the term "google" is now a verb per the 11th edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

"Google risks losing the value of its corporate trademark, he pointed out, if it becomes part of everyday speech.

Google appreciates the problem. In its 2005 annual report to investors, the Mountain View, Calif., company noted that "there is a risk that the word 'Google' could become so commonly used that it becomes synonymous with the word 'search.' If this happens, we could lose protection for our trademark, which could result in other people using the word 'Google' to refer to their own products."

Full story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...home-headlines

boldy · 07-07-2006, 03:40 AM

Time to fire up snapnames ... *burp*

DaddyHalbucks · 07-07-2006, 03:45 AM

Not a chance. Their name is one of their biggest assets. Their lawyers will fight like hell over this.

The odds are 100 to 1 that they keep their mark.

Annual reports have to disclose such possibilities, it doesn't mean they are likely.

Kimo · 07-07-2006, 04:09 AM

wow that would be some shit....

Basic_man · 07-07-2006, 04:10 AM

Is that good or bad? :P

NoWhErE · 07-07-2006, 04:11 AM

lol, considering I have like 4-5 google domains, that would be awesome

scottybuzz · 07-07-2006, 04:47 AM

yeh not a chance, google will fight like fuck

gooddomains · 07-07-2006, 06:02 AM

they lost gmail as well in some countries, because they didn't really pay attention to how trademark protection works

SomeCreep · 07-07-2006, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $5 submissions

Google name might lose trademark protection due to it's trademark becoming common public parlance.

I believe the chance of google losing their trademark is probably 1 in a googol.

psili · 07-07-2006, 06:35 AM

kleenex
xerox
.....

xclusive · 07-07-2006, 06:40 AM

Google is above the law.

Itchy · 07-07-2006, 06:52 AM

No way its ever going to happen

ridikuloz · 07-07-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusive

Google is above the law.

yep, they already own 3/4 of congress.

Romeo GaySearch4Sex · 07-07-2006, 06:58 AM

google was added into the merriam webster dictionary as a verb meaning "search for something using the google search engine"

"Google" the trademark is a proper noun - the name of the company

however, wasnt google already a regular noun - meaning a number with 1,000 digits?

I dont think it will make any difference... the trademark office will rule in favor of them

fallenmuffin · 07-07-2006, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo GaySearch4Sex

google was added into the merriam webster dictionary as a verb meaning "search for something using the google search engine"

"Google" the trademark is a proper noun - the name of the company

however, wasnt google already a regular noun - meaning a number with 1,000 digits?

I dont think it will make any difference... the trademark office will rule in favor of them

Your thinking of googol which is "The number 10 raised to the power 100 (10[sup]100[/sup]), written out as the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros."

pr0phet · 07-07-2006, 07:04 AM

What about booble.com

Tdog · 07-07-2006, 07:07 AM

Isnt Playboy in everyday vocabulary now?

fallenmuffin · 07-07-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdog

Isnt Playboy in everyday vocabulary now?

If you go to wank off to a naked chick do you say.. "Hey, I'm gonna go playboy!"? lol.. but if you search for something you say "Go google it" even if your not referering to google directly.

cyberstar · 07-07-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $5 submissions

... This might have already happened since the term "google" is now a verb per the 11th edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary....

no way!.. i thought it was just a slang... i find it amazing to create something that actually becomes a part of the language

BoyAlley · 07-07-2006, 08:03 AM

Good luck. Anyone that even tries that will be facing the wrath of Google's legal department. They'll simply out litigate to protect their name, even if LEGALLY they're not on solid ground.

Manowar · 07-07-2006, 08:05 AM

yeah they will sue the fuck out of anyone still

Drake · 07-07-2006, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romeo GaySearch4Sex

google was added into the merriam webster dictionary as a verb meaning "search for something using the google search engine"

That's the key right there. They won't lose their trademark because even though the word is used in common language, its meaning refers to using the google search engine, and not merely a search. So the word is inextricably tied into the google search engine specifically and is distinct from doing a search in any other serach engine or medium.

And no, google was not a word prior to the search engine. I heard on the radio that they actually intended it to be goggle but by mistake they wound up with google and it stuck.

DaddyHalbucks · 07-07-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psili

kleenex
xerox
.....

..both famous trademarks which are still in full force and effect, despite their common use in the vernacular.

SlickCash Brock · 07-07-2006, 02:57 PM

So does this mean that Coke could loose thier trademark as well. Most ppl regardless of what brand of Cola the place is selling order a "coke" not a cola.

DaddyHalbucks · 07-07-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0phet

What about booble.com

Parody is protected speech.

But, Booble wasn't without a fight.

Write those checks to your lawyers $$$$$$$

TheJimmy · 07-07-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyHalbucks

Not a chance. Their name is one of their biggest assets. Their lawyers will fight like hell over this.

The odds are 100 to 1 that they keep their mark.

Annual reports have to disclose such possibilities, it doesn't mean they are likely.

Absolutely agree man!

Seriously, that'd be like saying "Well Coke has become a commonly used term for anything 'pop' or 'soda' related so screw that TM" or for that matter ANY product or service that becomes a household name now or in the future would fall into the same predicament.

I'm pretty certain google's legal team will 'aggressively protect' that mark and get the outcome they want.

EDIT: Dammit Brock ya beat me to the Coke example!

Bro Media - BANNED FOR LIFE · 07-07-2006, 03:21 PM

fuck that google rules all...

$5 submissions · 07-07-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psili

kleenex
xerox
.....

yep. Loooong list of trademarks lost due to common usage.

07-07-2006, 03:02 AM	#1
$5 submissions I help you SUCCEED Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Pearl of the Orient Seas Posts: 32,195	Interesting news for Domain players: Google might lose trademark protection Google name might lose trademark protection due to it's trademark becoming common public parlance. Practical implication for webmasters/domain players: Current federal law protects against retaining domains that have trademarked elements. IF the trademark protection disappears due to the mark entering the common common vocabulary, the legal protection against such domain registrations disappears. This might have already happened since the term "google" is now a verb per the 11th edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary "Google risks losing the value of its corporate trademark, he pointed out, if it becomes part of everyday speech. Google appreciates the problem. In its 2005 annual report to investors, the Mountain View, Calif., company noted that "there is a risk that the word 'Google' could become so commonly used that it becomes synonymous with the word 'search.' If this happens, we could lose protection for our trademark, which could result in other people using the word 'Google' to refer to their own products." Full story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...home-headlines __________________ Need a NON-ADULT income stream? We build your YOUTUBE CHANNEL for only $20 per video! For Hire: $3/hour or $400 per month Marketing Specialist Virtual Assistants

07-07-2006, 03:40 AM	#2
boldy Macdaddy coder Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: MacDaddy pimp coder Posts: 2,806	Time to fire up snapnames ... burp __________________ MacDaddy Coder.

07-07-2006, 03:45 AM	#3
DaddyHalbucks A freakin' legend! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada USA Posts: 18,975	Not a chance. Their name is one of their biggest assets. Their lawyers will fight like hell over this. The odds are 100 to 1 that they keep their mark. Annual reports have to disclose such possibilities, it doesn't mean they are likely. __________________ Boner Money

07-07-2006, 04:09 AM	#4
Kimo ... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maryland ICQ:87038677 Posts: 11,542	wow that would be some shit.... __________________ ...

07-07-2006, 04:10 AM	#5
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	Is that good or bad? :P __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

07-07-2006, 04:11 AM	#6
NoWhErE Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 10,394	lol, considering I have like 4-5 google domains, that would be awesome __________________ skype: lordofthecameltoe

07-07-2006, 04:47 AM	#7
scottybuzz Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2006 Location: NY Posts: 14,800	yeh not a chance, google will fight like fuck __________________ $$$$$ MAKE HUGE MONEY IN CAMS - CLICK HERE $$$$$

07-07-2006, 06:02 AM	#8
gooddomains Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,127	they lost gmail as well in some countries, because they didn't really pay attention to how trademark protection works

07-07-2006, 06:35 AM	#10
psili Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 5,526	kleenex xerox ..... __________________ Your post count means nothing.

07-07-2006, 06:40 AM	#11
xclusive Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 35,218	Google is above the law. __________________ I support MediumPimpin.com / Shemp's Outlawtgp.com /

07-07-2006, 06:52 AM	#12
Itchy Datetronix.com Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Chill-A-Wack BC Posts: 6,525	No way its ever going to happen __________________ ICQ: 2588560 Skype: Pornocop

07-07-2006, 06:58 AM	#14
Romeo GaySearch4Sex Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 472	google was added into the merriam webster dictionary as a verb meaning "search for something using the google search engine" "Google" the trademark is a proper noun - the name of the company however, wasnt google already a regular noun - meaning a number with 1,000 digits? I dont think it will make any difference... the trademark office will rule in favor of them __________________ If you want to add gay sites to your program, or need help navigating the gay market please contact me at: [email protected] ICQ# 160001441

07-07-2006, 07:04 AM	#16
pr0phet Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,041	What about booble.com __________________ Pr0phet

07-07-2006, 07:07 AM	#17
Tdog Confirmed User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,707	Isnt Playboy in everyday vocabulary now?

07-07-2006, 08:03 AM	#20
BoyAlley So Fucking Gay Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 19,714	Good luck. Anyone that even tries that will be facing the wrath of Google's legal department. They'll simply out litigate to protect their name, even if LEGALLY they're not on solid ground.

07-07-2006, 08:05 AM	#21
Manowar jellyfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 71,528	yeah they will sue the fuck out of anyone still

07-07-2006, 02:57 PM	#24
SlickCash Brock Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 935	So does this mean that Coke could loose thier trademark as well. Most ppl regardless of what brand of Cola the place is selling order a "coke" not a cola. __________________ [email protected] E-mail [email protected] ICQ# 315 496 668

07-07-2006, 03:21 PM	#27
Bro Media - BANNED FOR LIFE MOBILE PORN: IMOBILEPORN Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tinseltown NL Posts: 16,502	fuck that google rules all...