01:56 PM CDT on Friday, August 17, 2007
Bloomberg News
American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, sued Google Inc. over its use of trademarked names to trigger paid advertisements.
American claims that Google, the most-used search engine, doesn't have the right to use its name as a keyword. American said it objects to the "sponsored links'' that appear on the right hand side of the screen and include competitors, whenever a user types in the words "American Airlines.''
"Some individuals and entities attempt to take advantage of consumers by marketing their products or services using the brands of others,'' American said in the complaint. "This lawsuit involves exactly such a situation - efforts by certain companies to free ride on American Airlines' brands through use of Google's technology.''
Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., is facing other legal challenges over its ad policy, in which would-be advertisers bid on keywords to determine placement in the sponsored links. One case, involving American Blind & Wallpaper Factory Inc., an Internet seller of home decorating materials, is scheduled for trial in November in San Jose, California.
The trademark-infringement suit by American, filed Thursday in Fort Worth, seeks a court order to halt Google's policy, plus cash compensation. American said Google has the ability to change its program and stop the unauthorized use of trademarks and has already done so in Europe.
Messages sent to Google spokesman Steve Langdon and the company's press line seeking comment weren't immediately returned
FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug 17, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- American Airlines issued the following statement today:
American Airlines appreciates and values the importance of the Internet and the convenience that companies such as Google create for consumers around the globe. The accessibility and ease of use of these search engines are important assets for end users and commercial enterprises.
The business issue American has with Google is not related to their overall business model. Rather, the dispute is centered on Google's process of allowing other companies to purchase the right to use American Airlines trademarks for Internet search. In working through this business dispute, American is hopeful that it will continue professional, friendly and fruitful relationships with Google, while finding an appropriate resolution to the trademark issues. American's goals are to continue to protect our trademarks that have been established over our 80 year history and to prevent customer confusion when customers search for American Airlines or one of our trademarked products.
American wants to make it clear that its dispute does not seek to prevent the display of search results that reflect consumers' interests or choices. American is only asking Google to stop selling our trademarks to others who are purchasing them and related terms to confuse and/or divert consumers searching for AA.com or American's products, and we are seeking relief for the damages such practices are creating.
