Type “iWatch” into Google’s search engine and the top result is likely to be an ad for the Apple Watch. Apple pays Google for the advertisements so it doesn’t miss out on potential customers who entered the wrong product name. But a small Dublin-based company, which owns the iWatch trademark in Europe, is hoping the ads will cost Apple a lot more.
Probendi, an Irish software development studio, filed an urgent procedure on June 26 with a court in Milan protesting Apple’s use of the term in its ads, according to the tribunal filing obtained by Bloomberg. “Apple has systematically used iWatch wording on Google search engine in order to direct customers to its own website, advertising Apple Watch,” the document says.
Google’s policy for its ad service says it evaluates trademark complaints on a case-by-case basis and “may enforce certain restrictions.” Giacomo Bonelli, a lawyer for Probendi, says, “Apple never replied to our requests and objections, while Google said they are not responsible for links.” Apple and Google declined to comment on the case.
A hearing for the iWatch case is scheduled for Nov. 11.
Source: Bloomberg
京公网安备 11010802020770号