Google Inc.

Google Inc. has claimed the use of the domain name google.no by Alte Hauge as infringement of its registered trademark “Google”« filed for various goods and services in classes 9 and 42, as well as violation of good business practice. The court found that «Google» was not well known at the time of registration of the domain name google.no and could therefore not benefit from the protection afforded to well known marks by the Norwegian Trademark law. The goods and services offered were also found to be different. However, in the cases where the trademark is also the name of the owner or the Company name, it is not a requirement that the goods are different to avoid the risk of confusion, and it was thus decided that the sale of sunglasses via the Internet on google.no constituted infringement of Google Inc’s trademark rights.