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Surprises

by Mike Masnick

Thu, Dec 16th 2004 12:36am





Geico Claims Google Loss Is A Victory

from the black-is-white... dept

It appears that not only does Geico not understand trademark law, but they seem to have misinterpreted the legal ruling against them. While it's pretty clear that the judge was throwing out the most important part of Geico's claims, Geico put out a press release claiming the judge sided with them, and that Google ads that use Geico violate their trademark. Of course, that's not what happened at all. The judge said ads based on the word Geico are no violation at all, and she's still willing to hear the case on whether or not ads that contain the word Geico within the ad violate their trademark -- but hasn't decided that part yet. It's unclear if this is a press release that shouldn't have gone out the door, or if Geico really is trying to spin this loss into a win. So far, however, it appears the press is not convinced. Most press accounts have headlines along the lines of Google Triumphs, Ruling Favors Google, Google Wins, and Judge Rejects Geico Claim.

7 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Dec 16th, 2004 @ 6:26am

    No Subject Given

    so why do we care about what Geico claims?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Dec 16th, 2004 @ 8:05am

    Re: No Subject Given

    "Geico Claims"

    Hilarious

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    mike, Dec 16th, 2004 @ 8:10am

    No Subject Given

    silly boy. Public relations isn't about telling the truth.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    google is not always right - sheepless in seatle, Dec 16th, 2004 @ 9:55am

    does anyone know

    whether it is legal for pepsi to run an ad with the word coca cola in it? I am pretty sure that would be considered infringing behavior. So why is it different for google ads?
    Why is it that everyone thinks it is okay for pepsi to use coca cola in their google ads when they cannot in magazine ads?
    anyone?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    icon
    Mike (profile), Dec 16th, 2004 @ 10:32am

    Re: does anyone know

    It is absolutely legal to mention your competitors in your ads. Just as long as you're not implying that you *are* them. Have you seen the recent NetZero ads?

    In fact, Pepsi has done it quite often. That was the whole point behind the Pepsi Challenge... You can mention your competitors in an effort to show you're somehow better/cheaper than they are (though, of course, you can't lie about stuff).

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    AMetamorphosis, Dec 16th, 2004 @ 2:00pm

    Re: does anyone know

    HA ...

    Mike thinks ya can't lie about stuff on the Internet ...

    ( Slaps knee and hold stomach from laughter )

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 19th, 2007 @ 7:11am

    Re: No Subject Given

    From my experience of the last 2 yrs, GEICO is not about telling the truth.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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