Board Game Maker Sues Google, Claiming Trademark Infringement

from the publicity-stunt dept

Wed, Feb 25th 2009 3:25pm — Mike Masnick

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.

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

18 Comments

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Yeah, that guy!!!, 25 Feb 2009 @ 4:56pm

It has to be said...
Great Googly Moogly!!!
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 4:58pm

Let google alone!!!!!!
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geqo, 25 Feb 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...
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 5:23pm

you think www.googlyfoogly.com/ will be next?
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 5:46pm

since when did we allow Africa to have the internet?
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Simon Lynch, 25 Feb 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'?
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 7:05pm

Wow
And look at you! Jut dishing them out that publicity! Good for you!
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 8:45pm

izuka01 == DB
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Feb 2009 @ 8:51pm

Google Googly, Close, but SHUT THE HELL UP AFRICA!
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- sf suave, 26 Feb 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.
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MadJo (profile), 26 Feb 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)...
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ulle, 26 Feb 2009 @ 8:02am

Maybe Google should do like Dell and Intel are doing with Psion, wind up their own lawyers and sue back.
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JM, 26 Feb 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 :)
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Googlegameroom.com, 28 Feb 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.
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- Michael Talpas, 16 Mar 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.
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- BOB, 16 May 2009 @ 3:22pm
  
  Re: Google bastard
  YOUR WEBSITE IS DOWN WHAT HAPPENED?
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Feb 2009 @ 7:38pm

Google will get what they deserve..

woo woo
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Feb 2009 @ 8:54pm

Google is a international corporate bully.
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