Google has warned a copycat Chinese website to stop using a logo that resembles the US Internet giant's or face possible legal action, state media reported Monday.
The warning issued to the "Goojje" website comes as Google is contemplating its future in China after saying it would no longer obey government censorship rules and could pull out entirely over alleged cyberattacks.
Google accused Goojje of infringing on its trademark rights, saying the logo of the Chinese website could make users believe it was authorised by or linked to the US company, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.
Although I applaud both moves by Google, unfortunately it really makes them look 2-faced: "We're not going to play by your rules, but you still have to play by our rules."
GOOG vs. China- could this be WWIII (fought with lawyers and hackers instead of soldiers and sailors)?
KenB
8:43 pm on Feb 8, 2010 (gmt 0)
GOOG vs. China- could this be WWIII (fought with lawyers and hackers instead of soldiers and sailors)?
As long as we can bury the lawyers at sea. :-D
I didn't see Google saying they weren't going to break China's rules. They were saying that if China didn't change the rules they would leave China. The first indicates violating local laws the second does not.
LifeinAsia
10:32 pm on Feb 8, 2010 (gmt 0)
I didn't see Google saying they weren't going to break China's rules.
From Engine's quote:
it [Google] would no longer obey government censorship rules
callivert
11:14 pm on Feb 8, 2010 (gmt 0)
unfortunately it really makes them look 2-faced: "We're not going to play by your rules, but you still have to play by our rules."
yeah really two faced. They don't feel comfortable reporting zero results for the search term "democracy", and they also don't want copycat sites using their logo. How unreasonable of Google all round.
KenB
12:13 am on Feb 9, 2010 (gmt 0)
@LifeinAsia,
That was someone's interpretation of what Google's position, it is not in fact what Google said or is doing.
From what I've read from Google's own statements as well as other press reports was that Google was going to pressure China to relax censorship rules or they were going to have leave China. They have also said they are still abiding by the laws of the land they are in.
zett
6:00 am on Feb 10, 2010 (gmt 0)
What's next? Google threatening to pull out of China over this?
*big grin*
They do not really believe that China will give a fuzz about what Google thinks? They will want to ask other companies with huge brands how they feel when Chinese manufacturers copied their (physical) products with only minimal changes. FAIL.
zeus
12:13 pm on Feb 10, 2010 (gmt 0)
Ahh, I think its a good move from Google, ask them, please remove the logo, instead of lining up layers, but I would give them a "Max 2 days" limit to take down the logo.
How can a Company even think about copying a Logo like that.
