walkman - 4:45 pm on Aug 14, 2006 (gmt 0)

>> That is, this is beyond their control - they are fighting a losing battle. They have no legal basis. All they can do is ASK the media not to use the word in that manner.

I am not a lawyer, and definitely no trademark lawyer, but from reading I think that they have to at least complain about it. If they do not, and 5 years from now I start my Google-schmoogle.com site, when Google sues, in my defense I can use the fact that Google did nothing as millions of other people and companies made Google a common word, just like bread or water.

Essentially, if google does not protect their trademark, they will lose it. The trademark is not something you get once, and forget about it.

As far as the "championing google" comment: I think it's crazy that people are divided in "pro" or "anti" groups; to do so one must believe that Google, MSFT, Intel or whoever, either does no right or no wrong.

[edited by: walkman at 4:56 pm (utc) on Aug. 14, 2006]