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10.17.05
Google Renames Gmail In U.K.
 By
David Utter
A trademark battle in Europe has forced Google to change the name of its web-based
email service.
New email accounts created in Germany and the U.K. will be under the name Googlemail
instead of Gmail. A UK-based financial research company, Independent International
Investment Research, owns the the trademark G-mail in around 80 countries, FT.com
reported.
Google plans to continue to fight IIIR's claim, but an executive noted that Google
changed the name to avoid confusing people. Existing Gmail accounts will retain
the Gmail.com address.
A German court had ruled another company owns the Gmail trademark there, forcing
Google to make the Gmail/Googlemail name swap.
Google and IIIR had
been in discussions about the name and rights to using it. IIIR values the
Gmail name at between $45 million and $60 million dollars. A spokesperson for
IIIR said they had not heard from Google since August.
About the Author:
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. |
