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| Google suppressing ads critical of MoveOn.org |
| 2007-10-11 |
| Internet giant Google has banned advertisements critical of MoveOn.org, the far-left advocacy group that caused a national uproar last month when it received preferential treatment from The New York Times for its “General Betray Us” message. The ads banned by Google were placed by a firm working for Republican Sen. Susan Collins’ re-election campaign. Collins is seeking her third term. . . . Google’s Web site states, “Google takes allegations of trademark infringement very seriously and, as a courtesy, we’re happy to investigate matters raised by trademark owners.” That suggests Google acted in response to a complaint by MoveOn.org. The banned advertisements said, “Susan Collins is MoveOn’s primary target. Learn how you can help” and “Help Susan Collins stand up to the MoveOn.org money machine.” The ads linked to Collins’ campaign Web site with a headline reading “MoveOn.org has made Susan Collins their #1 target.” . . . As a matter of trademark law, Google's claim that this is an "infringement" is bogus. There's a doctrine known as "fair use" which permits you to use other people's trademarks for purposes of review, comparison, and commentary, including parody and critique. That's why Ford can run commercials comparing its new car to Honda and Buick, and use the Honda and Buick logos in an unflattering way as part of the pitch. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #7 Thanks WM and USN for the search references. I'll give them a try. I heard today that Al Gore made a fortune off of Google. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-10-11 19:25 |
| #6 I use Goodsearch, for a couple of reasons. First it is tied to Yahoo, and second, they donate a penny to the non-profit of your choice ( there is an extensive list from which to choose) for each search. this is not a scam; i have been in contact with one of the co-founders and she is a very educated and caring lady. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-10-11 17:15 |
| #5 Same experience as WM. It is hard to believe how much better google can be on searches. But it's one of theose things where the more practice you get the better you are. So use ASK as much as you can. It's my default. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-10-11 14:52 |
| #4 I use Ask.com. It's ok. I sometimes have to fall back to Google. |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2007-10-11 14:45 |
| #3 Are there any search alternatives to Google? |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-10-11 14:42 |
| #2 This pisses me off. |
| Posted by: Victor Emmanuel Unomoting3635 2007-10-11 13:32 |
| #1 Should've quoted one more 'graf: Google routinely permits the unauthorized use of company names such as Exxon, Wal-Mart, Cargill and Microsoft in advocacy ads. An anti-war ad currently running on Google asks “Keep Blackwater in Iraq?” and links to an article titled “Bastards at Blackwater — Should Blackwater Security be held accountable for the deaths of its employees?” |
| Posted by: Mike 2007-10-11 12:03 |