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Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick

Wed, Feb 25th 2009 3:25pm




Filed Under:
board games, googly, moron in a hurry, south africa, trademark

Companies:
google


Board Game Maker Sues Google, Claiming Trademark Infringement

from the publicity-stunt dept

Yehuda Berlinger points out that a board game company in South Africa that has a Cricket-themed board game called "Googly" is suing Google over trademark, claiming that Google's registration of the google.co.za domain name violates its trademark. Of course, as the site writing about the story notes, no moron in a hurry would ever confuse the two (though, I'm unaware of whether or not South Africa accepts the moron in a hurry test for trademarks). My guess is that this is really just a publicity stunt by the board game maker, (correctly) realizing that this little lawsuit would get them some press.

18 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    Yeah, that guy!!!, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 4:56pm

    It has to be said...

    Great Googly Moogly!!!

     

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

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 4:58pm

    Let google alone!!!!!!

     

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

  3.  
    identicon
    geqo, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 5:08pm

    Any publicity is good publicity

    They've only now realised that google.co.za exists? What a load of bull. Sad way to gain attention...

     

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

  4.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 5:23pm

    you think www.googlyfoogly.com/ will be next?

     

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

  5.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 5:46pm

    since when did we allow Africa to have the internet?

     

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

  6.  
    identicon
    Simon Lynch, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 6:09pm

    ---and you rise....

    Surfing a sure sword of Damocles. Screwed if you don't report it, even more screwed if you do. The surge of PR-motivated legal actions now means that this is becoming a weapon in every half-turned-on PR muppet's armoury. What to do? Ignore it and no-one realises that this is happening and the cost of frivolous lawsuits continues. Pay attention and help 'encourager les autres'. Bad news any which way it goes. Maybe there should be some sort of co-operative effort to kidnap botnets from the bad guys and use them to attack the attention-seeking litigators. Anyone remember 'The Equalizer'?

     

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

  7.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 7:05pm

    Wow

    And look at you! Jut dishing them out that publicity! Good for you!

     

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

  8.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 8:45pm

    izuka01 == DB

     

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

  9.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 25th, 2009 @ 8:51pm

    Google Googly, Close, but SHUT THE HELL UP AFRICA!

     

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

  10.  
    icon
    MadJo (profile), Feb 26th, 2009 @ 1:29am

    Wow, what a hate towards Africa in the comments here, as if the US doesn't have trademark trolls.

    Or do you think you have a Monopoly(r) on trademark trolling?
    Get a Clue(r)...

     

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

  11.  
    identicon
    sf suave, Feb 26th, 2009 @ 2:42am

    Re:

    Nice work - most dumb Americans only try to alienate one nation at a time, you've taken down an entire continent. Impressive.

     

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

  12.  
    identicon
    ulle, Feb 26th, 2009 @ 8:02am

    Maybe Google should do like Dell and Intel are doing with Psion, wind up their own lawyers and sue back.

     

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

  13.  
    identicon
    JM, Feb 26th, 2009 @ 12:56pm

    The curse of the bell curve

    Let me tell you, being a South African myself, I am somtimes amazed at the ignorance and stupidity of my fellow countrymen. Not only does South Africa have some damn smart people, but we also boast some of the most stupid the universal gene pool have to offer. This is definately a publicity stunt as these guys have been around since 1989(?) without building a major brand awareness. I hope Google gives these guys the hiding of their lives - and kick them out of their site listings :)

     

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

  14.  
    identicon
    Googlegameroom.com, Feb 28th, 2009 @ 10:01am

    Google bastard

    Google is currently sueing me on trademark infringement b/c I have googlegameroom.com an online arcade. Google is horrieble when it comes to screwing the little guy let me tell you. ICANN is horrible too they are in the pockets of google that is well known.

     

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

  15.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 28th, 2009 @ 7:38pm

    Google will get what they deserve..

    woo woo

     

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

  16.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 28th, 2009 @ 8:54pm

    Google is a international corporate bully.

     

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

  17.  
    identicon
    Michael Talpas, Mar 16th, 2009 @ 2:02pm

    Re: Google bastard

    Did you name your game room before or after Google named their company? If you named your company first, I could see why you might be irritated at them suing you for trademark infringement. If you named your company second, then I have no sympathy for you.

     

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

  18.  
    identicon
    BOB, May 16th, 2009 @ 3:22pm

    Re: Google bastard

    YOUR WEBSITE IS DOWN WHAT HAPPENED?

     

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


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