Lawsuits may limit Google's income, and ours!

Here's a link to a story that will strike fear into the hearts of AdWords advertisters, AdSense publishers, and Google investors. Though so far Google has fended off lawsuits in the U.S. that would have prevented people from bidding on some trademarked names, the subject rears its head again. Read more here:

Lawsuits may dent Google ad revenue -report - Internet Services - Media - Internet: "SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A growing number of lawsuits against Google Inc. may dent the Internet search giant's revenue, the International Herald Tribune newspaper reported Sunday.


My opinion: Well, I believe in free speech, but I can see the point of the trademark owners, they've built a brand name and don't want to see it sullied. Personally I believe bidding on the trademarked name should be anyone's privilege, but stating the name in the ad is another matter. For example I shouldn't be allowed to write an ad saying "Chanel perfume for $5.00/quart", but why shouldn't I be allowed to bid on the phrase "Chanel perfume" and write an ad for a competitive product? After all, Burger King can show pictures of McDonald's and comment on them on television ads, can't they?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.