August 23, 2006

Watch out for the googly eyes!  

Google apparently has been sending out cease-and-desist letters complaining about the word "google" used as a generic term for searching the Internet (E-Commerce News; ZDNet News). I don't think we really need "google" (or "googling") as a synonym for "search the web," but I'm amused that the word has taken on so quickly.

On the other hand, "tivo" as a generic term for a DVR (and as a verb meaning "to record on a DVR") is a very helpful addition to the English language. I suspect that TiVo Inc.'s anticompetitive behavior (see my previous blog entry) has probably encouraged users to genericize its mark.

7 Comments:

Lennie Briscoe said...

I don't know why they are worried. When I pick up my hoover (vaccum cleaner), I am forever attached to the successful branding. Google hasn't quiet become the legend. There is still time for it to be superceded in the search site stakes..

6:28 PM, August 26, 2006  
Anonymous said...

i think that google get benifits if "to google" become a common verb. no

http://right.awardspace.com

4:22 PM, August 28, 2006  
Bar View said...

Everyone in my neck of the woods uses "google" as a short-form verb for searhing the net. It's a lot easier than saying, "I'll Modzilla it." Why would Google care?

9:50 PM, September 06, 2006  
Grant said...

How could they possibly be complaining about this??

You cant buy that kind of buzz. Their name has become synonymous with the verb to search online.

4:53 AM, February 28, 2007  
Grant said...

How could they possibly be complaining about this??

You cant buy that kind of buzz. Their name has become synonymous with the verb to search online.

5:01 AM, February 28, 2007  
law-in-moldova said...

Google is everywhere. everybody uses it for whatever search for smth. i thnik it is the biggest search system on the web, and why should they complain about it? good for them that the word "google" became so popular...

5:01 AM, April 15, 2007  
PintoPotts said...

Google are wrong to complaing about this, I can't understand their mentality in doing so, what are they trying to achieve.

No doubt they will soon be releasing the Google dictionary to tell us what verbs we can and can't use!

The latest step towards the real Google Earth becoming a reality!

5:52 AM, June 18, 2007  

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