Not allowed to 'google' anymore

Mr.Orb · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:32

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2162290/stop-googling-things-google

Google has issued letters to media organisations asking them to refrain from using its name as a verb.

In order to "protect its trademark", and prevent it becoming a generic term, the search firm has sent letters to publishers advising them on its proper use.

Google's letter includes helpful examples of appropriate and inappropriate use of the company's trademark.

For example: 'I used Google to check out that guy I met at the party' is fine, but 'I googled that hottie' is not.

Hehe, can't see it stopping

Zogger · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:36

don't really see why google are so bothered. You'd think they'd want their name plastered everywhere. World domination and all that...

Also you're not allowed to say legos. It must be Lego. Lego care a lot about this..

spike's · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:37

Zogger said:
don't really see why google are so bothered. You'd think they'd want their name plastered everywhere. World domination and all that...

Also you're not allowed to say legos. It must be Lego. Lego care a lot about this..

exactly. free advertising goes along way.

ArmyofHarmony · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:37

I get annoyed when people use the term google, because i personally use Yahoo!

Zogger · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:38

ArmyofHarmony said:
I get annoyed when people use the term google, because i personally use Yahoo!

it's funny because yahoo have always actively encouraged people to use it as a verb

"Do you Yahoo?"

And google want to rub it in their faces...

Bunka · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:39

However Google > Yahoo, so that proves....stuff.

BillytheImpaler · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:39

I've always hated when people verbed nouns.

bellamy · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:39

GOOGLE IT N00B!!!!111one

Ekim · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:41

Zogger said:
don't really see why google are so bothered. You'd think they'd want their name plastered everywhere. World domination and all that....

But if Google become a generic term for search they won't be able to hold a trademark over it so anyone could use the term so you might get Microsoft Google and Yahoo Google for example.

Or at least that is the way I understand it.

cleanbluesky · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:44

1) I think they are completely satisfied that the name of their search engine has become synonymous with searching or finding information.

2) It provides attention and nice PR to complain about it...

Wang · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:46

Zogger said:
don't really see why google are so bothered. You'd think they'd want their name plastered everywhere. World domination and all that...

Also you're not allowed to say legos. It must be Lego. Lego care a lot about this..

Don't think i have ever heard anyone say Legos.

penski · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:47

Zogger said:
don't really see why google are so bothered. You'd think they'd want their name plastered everywhere. World domination and all that...

Also you're not allowed to say legos. It must be Lego. Lego care a lot about this..

Correction - it is LEGO not Lego.

*n

penski · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:47

Wang said:
Don't think i have ever heard anyone say Legos.

Americans...

They have problems with group nouns.

*n

Zogger · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:50

penski said:
Correction - it is LEGO not Lego.

*n

oh noes I'd better go into hiding. Fugitive from the legos group.

Mattus · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:53

Adobe are very uppity about this too.

Trademarks are not verbs.

CORRECT: The image was enhanced using Adobe® Photoshop® software.

INCORRECT: The image was photoshopped.

Trademarks are not nouns.

CORRECT: The image pokes fun at the Senator.

INCORRECT: The photoshop pokes fun at the Senator.

Always capitalize and use trademarks in their correct form.

CORRECT: The image was enhanced with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements software.

INCORRECT: The image was photoshopped.

INCORRECT: The image was Photoshopped.

INCORRECT: The image was Adobe® Photoshopped.

It's ridiculous though, nobody will actually stick to that.

Sirrel Squirrel · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:56

They probably don't want to become like Hoover where people say all vaccum cleaners and the process of vaccuming is known as hoovers and hoovering.

j00ni · 14 Aug 2006 at 21:59

Ekim said:
But if Google become a generic term for search they won't be able to hold a trademark over it so anyone could use the term so you might get Microsoft Google and Yahoo Google for example.

Or at least that is the way I understand it.

Don't think that's the case, look at Hoover

Tru · 14 Aug 2006 at 22:01

I wonder if they issued a memo to staff or used the tannoy? hmmm

Al Vallario · 14 Aug 2006 at 22:01

Do Google not have an obligation to do everything within it's power to stop this sort of thing happening? Therefore it's not just that they don't like people using their trademark as a verb, it's that if they don't take action to stop people doing so they run the risk of losing it.

Seft · 14 Aug 2006 at 22:02

Ekim said:
But if Google become a generic term for search they won't be able to hold a trademark over it so anyone could use the term so you might get Microsoft Google and Yahoo Google for example.

Or at least that is the way I understand it.

They also need to actively defend the trademark.

Not allowed to 'google' anymore

Man of Honour