• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Judge refuses to dismiss Google trademark suit

SAN FRANCISCO
Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:45pm EDT
The logo of Google Inc. is seen outside their headquarters building in Mountain View, California August 18, 2004. A U.S. judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Google Inc. charging that the Web search leader's adWords program abuses trademarks. REUTERS/Clay McLachlan

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Google Inc. charging that the Web search leader's adWords program abuses trademarks.

In making his decision that effectively allows the case to move forward, U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Vogel ruled that the public has an interest in whether Google adWords violates U.S. trademark law.

American Blind & Wallpaper Factory Inc., the top U.S. reseller of window blinds, charged in its lawsuit that Google abuses trademarks by allowing rivals of a company to buy ads that appear when consumers search the Web for information on that business.

Google has prevailed in two prior trademark suits filed against its pay-per-click ads. Auto insurer GEICO lost a Virginia district court ruling and computer repair site Rescuecom lost a similar federal case against Google, but is appealing.


More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    PICTURES
    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    Oddly Enough
    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article 

    Global Markets