French Courts Still Confused About How Google's Ad System Works
from the blaming-the-wrong-party dept
Apparently it's been a busy day for Google's lawyers. This is the third post of the day about totally unrelated lawsuits involving Google. In this one, a French appeals court ruled against Google, saying the company violated Louis Vuitton trademarks in ads sold on Google in France. We had covered this story when the lower court also made this decision, and it still seems like a bad decision. This case is a little different than other Adwords cases, like the Geico case. The issue is still a big brand-name company upset about Adwords being sold on their trademarked names. However, in this case, the advertisers were selling counterfeit Louis Vuitton products -- so you could make a clear case of potential customer confusion. However, the problem with the decision is that it places the blame on Google. Google is simply the open platform where the ads were placed. The fault here lies with the counterfeiter who is advertising on Google. Blaming Google is blaming the platform where the trademark violation occurred, not the actual trademark violator.
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Bad precident
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More coming
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Makes Sence
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Re: Makes Sence
I'm going to put a bumper sticker on your car when you aren't looking offering illegal drugs at the corner pay phone. Then, when the government sues you for advertising illicit drugs I'll laugh.
It's up to Google to TRY and remove inappropriate advertisements and material from there site but they should not be held legally liable for the illicit acts of another.
Perhaps Google should have legal grounds to go after those who posted the content if they don't get any real justice from the ignorance of humanity.
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Off course not!
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Rule Number 1:
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Not as clear cut as some would make out
TV channels/Radio/Newspaper or any other form of media would do the same or face the same consequences so why should google get a free pass? If they are providing a service they cannot manage properly then they need to stop providing it
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Responsibility
Also, since the fact Google did not drop the adds from their network, they should be held liable for the legal costs at the least.
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Google has to end this now...
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God Love the French
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Dee Dee Dee
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Profit
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fine print
To me, it seems that Loui Vutton is the one that doesnt understand how Google adds work, not the french court, OF COURSE its going to put adds that have to do with the content of their site. Granted, I dont know anything about the french system, but none of the blame should fall on google...
Or the maker of the add for that matter, unless they used something copyrighted (in which case they should be sued no matter where the add appeared) then Loui Vutton has no business suing anybody for anything.
Furthermore, WHAT IS A LUXURY COMPANY DOING WITH GOOGLE ADDS ON THEIR SITE?!?!?!?!?!?! You wouldnt find google adds on BMW's website, or sony's website, how un-professional. Then again, french wemon dont shave their legs...
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What is really happening.
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If Yes, pursue the seller.
If No, stop all pursuit.
Suing a search engine for correctly placing an ad containing the words "Louis Voutton" when somebody does a search for same: stupid.
To those who blame Google for not removing the ads: Google is not part of the legal system. If the seller is doing something illegal, it is up to the courts, not Google, to decide.
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Sorry, have to say it
It seems that every week the French government or individual is suing one thing or another. Its like they can't stand that something isn't working they way they want it to work.
It seems to come from the culture of entitlement (and the strive to preserve a mono-culture) that the French people have, that its there way, or no way at all. If it can't work the way France wants it to work, ban it, sue it, or change it.
It might be off topic here, but I am getting tired of hearing about the French Courts.
That's why I call my chips Freedom Fries. Its the freedom from whining and complaining about everything non-French is what I hope for.
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French lawyers
Now instead of continental manners you get "let's do lunch". America is ruining the world.
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Money
This is simply about the money. Google is big and vulnerable.
They have lots of money, let's see if we can get some of it.
The attorneys should be blamed as much as the counterfeiters.
France sucks anyway so there's no point in trying to figure out their courts.
Who would sue a newspaper for posting classifieds listing stolen property? It's clear that the stolen property issue is between the cops and the seller of those items.
This is clearly nothing about anything but money, so please people lets quit chasing the red herrings.
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France is a thief
French fries = fried potatoes
French toast = egged bread
French bread = Italian bread (only longer and narrower)
I can go on but it seems to me the French take the most mundane items, if they like it, put the word French in front of it and voila (crap that's a French word)...O.K. how about presto! It's suddenly French!
France is arrogant and really they have nothing to be arrogant about. Historically, they lost nearly all their major wars. They often needed help from others in times of crises, then they never appreciate what's done and claim that it's the power of France and the French people for their perserverence and persistence.
Bullshit! It's about time the world sees France for what they are two-faced hypocrites.
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