The Trademark Enforcement Team explains – but Google Germany seems different

Posted on August 23, 2007
Filed Under Google Maps | 1 Comment

So I heard back from The Google Trademark Enforcement Team. Here is what they replied to me.  

Dear Frank,

Thank you for your reply and for removing our logo from your site.

We contacted you because we became aware that you were using our logo without permission. As you can see from our Guidelines for Third Party Use of Google Brand Features, located at http://www.google.com/permissions/guidelines.html, we only allow use of our logo with permission. We do not, however, have any objections to the use of our trademarks in plain text, e.g., Google Maps™ mapping service.

Additionally, this is not a new policy or procedure, and sending such notices is standard practice for trademark owners who are required to protect and maintain the integrity of their trademarks.

Lastly, we contacted you at this email address because this is the address listed for your site in the WHOIS database.

Thank you again for your prompt cooperation with our request.

Sincerely,The Google Trademark Enforcement Team

Fair enough. Here is what I replied.

Hi Guys,Thanks for the reply and the clarification.

I figured the thing with the WHOIS – in the meantime.

And I do appreciate that you guys didn’t pick me because of a special reason.

Now let me point to a thing that – at least somehow – still confuses me.
I’m German and have lived there quite some time.
On your German site there is a page

http://www.google.de/intl/de/logos.html

The text reads as follows
“Offizielle Logos

Wenn Sie gerne einen Link zu Google auf Ihrer Webseite schalten möchten, steht es Ihnen frei, eines der unten angezeigten offiziellen Logos zu benutzen.

Falls Sie das Google-Logo für andere Zwecke benutzen möchten, lesen Sie sich bitte die Seite Google-Genehmigungen durch.”

In short it says that I should feel free to add any of the Logos displayed to my website if I would link to Google.

If I would want to use them for something else, I’m asked to read the guidelines.

Well I’ve used a Logo not listed here – I used the Maps one – but still I’m confused why that’s such a big difference.

It would be great if you would let me know your thoughts on this.

Kind Regards

So is there more than just one Internet? At least a German one with rules different to the US internet… I’m still confused. 

  • I am feeling Special – Google Cease & Desists Logo Use
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    • Comments

    One Response to “The Trademark Enforcement Team explains – but Google Germany seems different”

    1. Google Abmahnung widerspricht sich mit deutscher Google Webseite » Suchmaschinen Blog on August 24th, 2007 1:25 am

      [...] Mail von Google vom Locallytype Blog: Dear Frank, [...]

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