IIIR sues Google over Gmail trademark use
Link: IIIR sues Google over Gmail trademark use
Independent International Investment Research (IIIR), a small UK company listed on Aim that develops financial research products, is planning to launch legal action against Google.
IIIR claims that Google’s use of the term “Gmail” for its free web-based e-mail service infringes on its use of the term for a service offered by one of its subsidiaries.
IIIR says that this subsidiary, Pronet, has been using a service called “Gmail” since May 2002. IIIR contacted Google about the issue soon after the internet search company launched its “Gmail” service in April 2004, but that they have not been able to make a settlement.
Google has confirmed that they were contacted about the claim, but a spokeswoman claimed that they have been provided with no evidence that IIIR has priority on the use of the term.
Shane Smith, chairman and chief executive of IIIR, has said that he has been contacted by three companies offering financial backing for the suit. Discussions concerning that possible backing, in return for a share of the trademark sales if the suit is successful, have not yet been held.
[…] Here in the UK, Google already lost a case brought by IIIR which led to the service being renamed GoogleMail. […]
Pingback by Platinax Small Business News » Google loses GMail in Germany — February 1, 2007 @ 1:02 pm