Google Loses Trademark Infringement Appeal In France

The BBC News UK edition reports that Google has lost their trademark infringement case appeal.

From the BBC:

Internet search engine Google has lost its appeal against a court ruling over trademark infringement brought about by two French travel companies.

Google must now pay 75,000 euros ($100,300; 52,000) in damages and costs to Luteciel and Viaticum.

A lawsuit was filed because Google users searching for the French firms found themselves directed instead to rival sponsored links.

Google’s failure to follow the ruling quickly enough triggered the fine.

In October 2003, the French courts ordered the search engine to stop displaying rival sponsored links. The court said that Google had been guilty of “trademark counterfeiting”.

Andy Beal is an internet marketing consultant and considered one of the world’s most respected and interactive search engine marketing experts. Andy has worked with many Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, CitiFinancial, Lowes, Alaska Air, DeWALT, NBC and Experian.

You can read his internet marketing blog at Marketing Pilgrim and reach him at andy.beal@gmail.com.