Corporate Chutzpah

http://www.micropersuasion.com/2006/08/google_warns_me.html

My CEO mentioned to me that Google was getting a reputation for corporate arrogance. I wasn't sure I believed him. And then I saw the above entry on Micro Persuasion. Its title says it all:

"Google Warns Media on Using Its Name as a Verb"

Apparently, Google sent some letters to various companies telling them not to use their name as a verb in their marketing.

Youch, if that's not arrogance, I don't know what is.

Think of all the free advertising, not much less good will and reputation they are giving up with this move.

OK Chris, looks like you were right on this one.

--Ben

Update: Thanks to Simon for setting me straight on this. Simon says (sorry, couldn't resist...)

If you read up on it Ben - The letters were sent by Google legal as they were concerned that the phrase 'to google' was passing into popular culture, and would therefore result in a trademark issue for them down the road. By sending out these letters they have done enough to prove to a judge that they did protect their trademark should it come to a legal battle. They are not going to enforce the threats in the letters. They also did this in 2003... Xerox, Kleenex, and Hoover may wish that they'd done the same. On the other hand, Yahoo has now started a campaign asking users to tell them about things that they "yahoo'd" :)

Thanks for the clarification.

Chris, I do believe that Simon is saying that you aren't right this time. Sorry about the confusion ;-).