I was wondering if others have been in this position, and if it is worth pursuing or would we just be wasting our time? I understand the need for trademark protection, but in this context it seems bizarre to me that we would never be able to include our legitimate registered company name in any of our adverts?
[edited by: engine at 11:36 am (utc) on Sep. 23, 2008]
[edit reason] No specific names, thanks [/edit]
They have legal proection; you'll come up against the same problem in many areas other than Adwords ...
Company names have certain protections; but in promotion, trademarks rule ... that's what they were created for!
(By the time I saw this, the actual name had been removed as per TOS, so sorry if I'm being unfairly harsh).
It's not Adwords or even Internet specific; an English comic actor called David Walliams couldn't use his real name (Williams), because someone got there first; similar rules apply in most areas of commercial activity.
Apple and (The Beatles') Apple Corps had similar issues, and fought million-dollar law suits in areas where their activities overlapped.
It may be frustrating, but you can see the logic behind it.
Personally, I'd talk to a lawyer if it's important enough to you. It may not be worth taking that far, but then again, it may. I'd definitely get there input if this is something that could have an impact on your ability to properly promote/advertise your business.
[edited by: Philosopher at 7:05 pm (utc) on Sep. 25, 2008]
Without that approval from the trademark owner, Google is unlikely to do anything.
[edited by: Rehan at 9:42 pm (utc) on Sep. 25, 2008]
