The Optimiser

14 March 2005

Your personal source of Internet news

French court rules against Google in keyword case

A French court has ruled that Google must stop using the trademarks of Le Meridian Hotels and Resorts to trigger keyword ads.

The court in Nanterre decided that Google had infringed on the trademarks of the chain by allowing its rivals to bid on keywords of its name and appear prominently in related search results.

The ruling means that Google cannot allow ads to be triggered by searches that include trademarked terms in France. If the search company does not comply with the ruling it faces a daily fine of 150 euros.

The company must also cease linking ads related to Le Meridien brands within 72 hours of whenever Le Meridien notifies it of listings in violation, or face a daily fine of 150 euros. Google must also pay all court fees and a fine of 2,000 euros, according to the ruling.

Le Meridien took action against Google's French subsidiary on October 25th claiming it had failed to reach an amicable agreement. Google generates around 98 per cent of its revenue from keyword advertising linked to search technology.

A Google representative said the company would appeal the decision, adding: "We will continue to defend against this suit, which we believe is without merit."

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