Is Buying A Google Ad On Your Competitors' Name A Privacy Violation?

from the only-in-the-world-of-lawyers dept

We've seen tons of lawsuits from companies upset that their competitors were buying ads on their trademarked brand names. Obviously, these tend to be trademark disputes, and the suing companies rarely prevails, since most courts seem to realize that buying ads on competitor trademark keywords is perfectly legal, so long as the ad isn't confusing. But, sometimes the arguments get quite bizarre. JJ sent over an article about two personal injury law firms in a legal fight over Google advertising -- but the (initial) twist here is that the one firm is claiming that it's a violation of Wisconsin state privacy laws to buy keywords based on the names of the partners in the firm. It's difficult to see who's privacy is being violated here. And, of course, to make the case a bit more exciting, the defendants surprised everyone in court by doing a search on YellowPages.com for their own law firm -- and having an ad for the plaintiff show up. So, now the defendants are claiming that the plaintiffs have "unclean hands," since they appear to be doing the exact same thing they've accused the defendants of doing. It sounds like quite a trial...
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Filed Under: privacy, trademark, wisconsin
Companies: google


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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2010 @ 2:30am

    Sure, why not...

    In a world filled with so many outrageously stupid ideas, what's one more stupid idea on the pile?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2010 @ 3:26am

    Look, its like this - when we do it, its sex, when you do it, its rape

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2010 @ 3:34am

    Who cares?

    Only paranoid assholes would do that.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 31 Mar 2010 @ 3:36am

    But if you want to buy webspace on my new website, MikeDirt.Com, I won't stop you.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Unclean Hands, 31 Mar 2010 @ 5:05am

    Wow, that is cheesy

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    btr1701 (profile), 31 Mar 2010 @ 6:00am

    Laches

    > the defendants surprised everyone in court by
    > doing a search on YellowPages.com for their own
    > law firm -- and having an ad for the plaintiff
    > show up.

    I'd love to watch the plaintiff's lawyers try and spin that one.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Nastybutler77 (profile), 31 Mar 2010 @ 11:01am

    I love the smell of litigation in the morning!

    Is there anything better than one law firm suing another? Way to tie up the court system for your pissing match!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ike, 31 Mar 2010 @ 12:17pm

    Interesting Argument

    Interesting! Buying ad words for your competitor's names gives you an indication as to how many people are searching for the name of your competitor. Knowing the relative popularity of your competitors could be useful information. You might also be able to get the IP addresses of the searchers (although maybe not with Google's service).

    Is that worth suing over? Of course not.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    BearGriz72 (profile), 31 Mar 2010 @ 1:12pm

    "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"

    William Shakespeare, King Henry VI Part 2 - Act IV, Scene II (Dick the butcher)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jake, 31 Mar 2010 @ 2:32pm

    I suppose it depends how you use the keyword, but if their names aren't publically associated with the company in some way -in the name under which they trade, on the 'About Us' page on the website and so forth- then I could see it being a technical violation.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Glenn, 1 Apr 2010 @ 7:59am

    TV?

    Sounds like an episode of some TV show about lawyers... one of the mostly comedy ones (which I won't mention here--don't want to be sued :D).

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    auto repair, 17 Sep 2010 @ 1:44pm

    auto repair

    Well, i'm at least happy to hear that the lawsuits typically don't accomplish anything. This is a case where common sense and wise/ethical business tactics should come into play.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Josh, 11 Oct 2010 @ 1:04pm

    I think that it is

    I really do feel that if you are using your competition's name in your ad and that is how people are finding you then maybe it is not the best idea to try and add business by going that route. I think that really isnt going to get you the best ROI or really good name to go with your company. For sure try and think of a different route the next time you decide to promote your business online. www.theaterspecialtieslv.com

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Ginny Crandall, 11 Oct 2010 @ 1:42pm

    nice

    Now this is kind of funny. I've never thought of anyone buying the keywords that would lead to someone else, and using them against them, but I suppose it is possible. It makes me laugh, though, that's for sure.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    tow, 23 May 2012 @ 10:31am

    Who cares a different route the next time

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    George, 16 Dec 2012 @ 9:40pm

    hm...

    the answer: yes, would do the same.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Max, 1 May 2013 @ 4:40am

    best ROI or really good name to go with your company

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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