Google Warns State of Utah on New Law

gonzo · 04-11-2007

SALT LAKE CITY — A new Utah state law that curbs keyword-triggered advertising is unconstitutional and probably will be challenged in court, Google officials said.

The law was created by Unspam Technologies CEO Matthew Prince, the same brains behind the controversial child-protection registry, which requires adult companies to submit their email lists to be "scrubbed" of e-mail addresses to which minors could have access. The Free Speech Coalition currently is challenging the registry in court.

As for the Utah law, Google did not confirm it would be the one to bring the law to court but does plan to work with other Internet companies to show Utah officials why the law hurts consumers, violates free speech and is inconsistent with both established U.S. trademark law and the U.S. capitalist system, Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The law, named the Trademark Protection Act, initially was doubted to pass, because of the possibility of litigation. But it showed up late in the Utah Legislature’s session and passed with almost no opposition. Unless a special session surfaces or a court injunction is placed, the law will take effect June 30.

The law would work like this: companies that register trademarks in Utah will be protected from competitors looking to buy the right to get a sponsored link to show up right above the search results, from a keyword you put in the search box.

For example, if you type Overstock.com into Google's search engine, you will get sponsored links to SmartBargains.com, Buy.com and Webspawner.com. The new law would allow Overstock to sue the search engine and the competitor if such ads do show up in Utah-based Internet searches.
“Competition, which generally helps lower prices and benefits consumers, is fueled in part by companies being able to use advertising to draw contrasts with their competitors," Kovacevich said.

But Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, Utah, the House sponsor of the law, argues that the law "places Utah in the front of the pack of U.S. states in trademark protection…I'm sorry they feel it's still the Wild West on the Internet," he said of Google and bloggers who have been blasting the law.
If litigation does occur, it shouldn’t surprise Utah legislators, as they were warned by their own lawyers. A legislative review note said the Trademark Protection Act had a "high probability of being found unconstitutional," according to the State Tribune.

And even Prince thinks the state will probably get sued. "I warned them during the session that this would make Google mad," he said.

Rcourt64 · 04-11-2007

Those fuckers @ google are getting ready to take on the the famous 411 telephone information line. "which started out as a free telephone service and is now a 9 billion dollar industry" with there new "voice command" Just ask & google will find the top 10 listings in your local area service.

It's gonna be free for customers, the advertiser will have certain fees and charges.

So soon all you have to do is say: "Convenience Store" and google will find it for you. all for free in compare against to calling 411 and being charged $$$

What'll happen when I say "porn"? Wonder what the 10 top places around my neighborhood is gonna be?

These fuckers are taking offer the entire info industry world.
Wonder if this will finally make there shares split?

raymor · 04-11-2007

&@#*($ Utah!

Jace · 04-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rcourt64

Those fuckers @ google are getting ready to take on the the famous 411 telephone information line. "which started out as a free telephone service and is now a 9 billion dollar industry" with there new "voice command" Just ask & google will find the top 10 listings in your local area service.

It's gonna be free for customers, the advertiser will have certain fees and charges.

So soon all you have to do is say: "Convenience Store" and google will find it for you. all for free in compare against to calling 411 and being charged $$$

What'll happen when I say "porn"? Wonder what the 10 top places around my neighborhood is gonna be?

These fuckers are taking offer the entire info industry world.
Wonder if this will finally make there shares split?

wtf, I thought you were kidding

http://labs.google.com/goog411/

04-11-2007	#1
gonzo Fat Fucking Nobody Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta,Ga. Posts: 17,795 Blog Entries: 11	Google Warns State of Utah on New Law SALT LAKE CITY — A new Utah state law that curbs keyword-triggered advertising is unconstitutional and probably will be challenged in court, Google officials said. The law was created by Unspam Technologies CEO Matthew Prince, the same brains behind the controversial child-protection registry, which requires adult companies to submit their email lists to be "scrubbed" of e-mail addresses to which minors could have access. The Free Speech Coalition currently is challenging the registry in court. As for the Utah law, Google did not confirm it would be the one to bring the law to court but does plan to work with other Internet companies to show Utah officials why the law hurts consumers, violates free speech and is inconsistent with both established U.S. trademark law and the U.S. capitalist system, Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich told The Salt Lake Tribune. The law, named the Trademark Protection Act, initially was doubted to pass, because of the possibility of litigation. But it showed up late in the Utah Legislature’s session and passed with almost no opposition. Unless a special session surfaces or a court injunction is placed, the law will take effect June 30. The law would work like this: companies that register trademarks in Utah will be protected from competitors looking to buy the right to get a sponsored link to show up right above the search results, from a keyword you put in the search box. For example, if you type Overstock.com into Google's search engine, you will get sponsored links to SmartBargains.com, Buy.com and Webspawner.com. The new law would allow Overstock to sue the search engine and the competitor if such ads do show up in Utah-based Internet searches. “Competition, which generally helps lower prices and benefits consumers, is fueled in part by companies being able to use advertising to draw contrasts with their competitors," Kovacevich said. But Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, Utah, the House sponsor of the law, argues that the law "places Utah in the front of the pack of U.S. states in trademark protection…I'm sorry they feel it's still the Wild West on the Internet," he said of Google and bloggers who have been blasting the law. If litigation does occur, it shouldn’t surprise Utah legislators, as they were warned by their own lawyers. A legislative review note said the Trademark Protection Act had a "high probability of being found unconstitutional," according to the State Tribune. And even Prince thinks the state will probably get sued. "I warned them during the session that this would make Google mad," he said. __________________ We are putting the bastards of this world on notice; greed and corruption will always be met with "a voice made of ink and rage." "Never try and be like anyone else" - Hunter S. Thompson "The truth is the truth no matter how you try and package a lie" - Shellee Hale

04-11-2007	#2
Rcourt64 Filling Bishop's Pond Respin bullshit press Your Comments Are Welcomed Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,942	Re: Google Warns State of Utah on New Law Those fuckers @ google are getting ready to take on the the famous 411 telephone information line. "which started out as a free telephone service and is now a 9 billion dollar industry" with there new "voice command" Just ask & google will find the top 10 listings in your local area service. It's gonna be free for customers, the advertiser will have certain fees and charges. So soon all you have to do is say: "Convenience Store" and google will find it for you. all for free in compare against to calling 411 and being charged $$$ What'll happen when I say "porn"? Wonder what the 10 top places around my neighborhood is gonna be? These fuckers are taking offer the entire info industry world. Wonder if this will finally make there shares split?

04-11-2007	#3
raymor Members Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	Re: Google Warns State of Utah on New Law &@#*($ Utah!