Google won't remove a competitor's ad using my brand name?

Why not?

[HughMungus]

How come I can't use ebay or amazon in my adwords ads but my competitor can use my name in his?

[Robino]

Is it a registered trademark?

[HughMungus]

No. And I just read the other thread on this and I'm moving to trademark it now.

It is kinda scary that Google thinks this is a problem between me and the offender and not between Google and the offender...unless you're a huge adwords advertiser like ebay, that is.

Thanks!

[HughMungus]

Oh and so this thread is not a total waste of time, here's a useful link (govt site). Or two.

[uspto.gov...]

[uspto.gov...]

[Shak]

unless you're a huge adwords advertiser like ebay, that is.

NOT true, I have seen very very small comapanies with a trademark ask Google to remove ads because their competitors were using their name in ads etc.

these were NOT big spenders, maybe $100 a mth.

yes there is an issue, but lets not jump to conclusions.

Shak

[HughMungus]

Shak, how come Google pre-screens some ads but not others? Why does it remove Ebay and Amazon without a complaint but not all others?

[RedWolf]

I would say that it is because they have gone through the process of submitting the legal papers required by Google to block their Registered Trademarks. If a trademark isn't registered, it can still be valid, but with a lot of exceptions which Google probably doesn't want to deal with.

[Robino]

Why does it remove Ebay and Amazon without a complaint but not all others?

How do you know this?

I had a competitor using our TM'd name and G removed it quite promptly.

And besides, shouldn't Ebay and Amazon get preferential treatment? I know I do a little extra for my big customers.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

For those who are not aware of the information available in the AdWords FAQ, here is a link to Google policy regarding trademarks:

[adwords.google.com...]

And another detailing Trademark Complaint Procedure:

[google.com...]

As mentioned, both are available from the FAQ.

AWA