Comments on: Google Looks to Avoid Becoming a Xerox of Kleenex

By: Clumpy

Clumpy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:43:38 +0000

When we say “Google”, we really MEAN using the Google search engine. Google the product is popular, and only inept people would say “Google” when they really mean “use Yahoo.” The ability to verb Google without it sounding artificial or referring to another product is undoubtedly one of the strengths of the product.

By: isulong seoph

isulong seoph — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 05:52:06 +0000

that’s silly, but they can’t help being so popular. google has been more of a widely-used jargon when you wanna tell someone to search something via google. i guess that’s an inevitable factor, considering Britney’s case, Britney is also used as an adjective now, purporting to someone who acts or looks like Britney.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:59:15 +0000

Everything about that letter seems geared to suggest to the recipient that they shouldn't take it too seriously - hand-addressed, snail-mail, silly examples. I'd like to think Google are just doing what they legally have to do to be seen to maintain the trademark, without really wanting people to stop using the word casually.

I also think that so long as the people using it are actually referring to the use of Google, rather than another search engine, that it shouldn't be seen as degrading their trademark.

By: Mike Marshall

Mike Marshall — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:28:07 +0000

I think this is an important issue for Google and a legitimate concern. However, they are somewhat inconsistent in how they address it a la the Pontiac commerical which says "Google Pontiac!".

By: Eric Giguere

Eric Giguere — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:16:28 +0000

In all fairness, John, trademark protection can be lost if you don't actively police infringements. If their lawyers weren't sending these letters they'd be neglecting their duties.