The word that Google based their name on, Googol, was invented by Columbia University professor Edward Kasner. The term means 10 to 100th power or a 1 with 100 zeros following it. With Google’s 4 billion and growing web index, their name’s association with Googol is increasingly appropriate.

However, the family of Edward Kasner believes they should be entitled to a piece of Google’s financial pie. The Baltimore Sun has recently interviewed the great-niece of Kasner, Peri Fleisher, who will also be one of the spokespeople for the Kasner family. Fleisher believes that Google has gained financially from the expense of the original term googol, and the family wants a piece of the action.

Google acknowledges where its name originated from on its corporate information page:

“Googol is the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The term was coined by Milton Sirotta, nephew of American mathematician Edward Kasner, and was popularized in the book, ‘Mathematics and the Imagination’ by Kasner and James Newman. Google’s play on the term reflects the company’s mission to organize the immense amount of information available on the web.”

Apparently, this byline is not enough to satisfy the remaining Kasner relatives. A quote from the article in the Baltimore Sun indicates where the Kasner’s stand when it comes to the level of satisfaction they are seeking. When asked if they thought Google was obligated to compensate the family, Fleisher said:

“Legally, that’s an open question we’re exploring. But ethically, courteously, yes. I see some hypocrisy there. They have ignored us. Other than changing a couple of letters on the name, they are capitalizing on it. This is a business. These guys are going to make billions of dollars. It’s not a cute little thing.”

Sound like sour grapes to me. Fleisher went on to say that money is not the only thing that will ease their pain. “You don’t need to give us anything. Just let us participate as insiders on the IPO. I don’t think it’s a lot to ask.”

As long as there is some level of compensation, or the opportunity to make their own compensatory choices, the Kasner group will be satisfied. To quote Andy Beal: “Oh please, Google gives recognition for the origination of the company name, but to think that you deserve a piece of the pie is crazy.”

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