Google loses trademark case in France

PoopyTheJ · Feb 5, 2005, 12:44 PM

A French court on Friday ruled against Google in a trademark infringement case brought by Louis Vuitton Malletier, in the latest legal setback to the search giant overseas.

The Paris District Court has sanctioned Google and its French subsidiary from selling search-related advertisements against trademarks owned by the luxury fashion designer, which sued the search giant in early 2004. The court charged Google with trademark counterfeiting, unfair competition and misleading advertising. Google was ordered to pay $257,430 (200,000 euros).

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SeraphicSorcerer · Feb 5, 2005, 07:49 PM

Is it just m or does it seem like google is offering free advertising and not using their trademark except to advertise, Granted it may or not be without their consent, but it's still free advertising.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Feb 6, 2005, 08:06 AM

Bull***t STUPID FRENCH COURTS

Stop It · Feb 14, 2005, 05:40 AM

Uh, With all due respect how are the french courts stupid for making a correct decision, heres a quote from the article linked which explain things nicely

Quote:

Originally posted by Cnet news
The ruling comes on the heels of another French court order against Google, in a case brought by European chain Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts. In that lawsuit, the court said Google infringed on Le Meridien's trademarks by allowing the hotel chain's rivals to bid on keywords of its name and then appear prominently in those related search results.

Basically the google adwords system was exploited to allow a companies rivals to advertise its products (In this case hotels) when people search for its rivals companies, thats not on, and as its Googles system that is at fault, they deserved the punishment for it, could you please explain the stupidity of such a judgement? You cannot have directory enquiries services (in the UK) Give you a number for Pizza hut when you ask for dominos, why should google be allowed to do so?

pr0digal jenius · Feb 14, 2005, 08:51 AM

Very true Stop It

For once I must say: props to the French for having the cajones to follow through on an "Anti big business" suit