A legal source told Reuters that Google was trying to buy the Internet domain name, held by Beijing-based ISM Technologies.
It resembles Google’s internationally known e-mail service, gmail.com, and the colors in which the two logos are written are similar. The “.cn” suffix is commonly used for Chinese domain names.
Google recently began offering free Gmail accounts in China to promote its brand.
Another nasty trademark battle for Google. Gmail is a great name, I agree, but the thought put into it was not considering the international usage of this name. Europe already had a registered Gmail trademark which in court, they lost not too long ago. Now with the battle in China over the usage of Gmail.cn.
It really doesn’t feel like Google is having much luck in securing their international trademark names. Google has only contacted the domain owner with an interest in purchasing it and so far there has not been any legal action taken against the holding company, but that could shortly change if the company does not give in.
It does feel a little bit bully-ish of Google, but they do what they think they need to do. Apple is fighting for usage of the iPhone still, Google is fighting for their usage of Gmail.
Makes me think I should become a corporate trademark lawyer…there’s a lot of business there!
