EFF backs Google
p2pnet.net news:- Why would the EFF want the US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a ruling allowing someone to buy Google sponsored links?
The links allow people to buy advertisements attached to search terms and when someone keys them into the search engine, the sponsored links show up alongside the search results.
Rescuecom filed a lawsuit against Google over the program, claiming selling sponsored links for the term ‘Rescuecom’ infringed its trademark, says the EFF(Electronic Frontier Foundation ).
But, in an amicus brief the EFF argues the sponsored links aren’t infringing. Rather, they, “promote a vibrant public sphere by helping online speakers reach a broader audience,” it says, citing by way of example a The Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers brief.
The group was critical of McDonald’s business practices and bought sponsored links attached to searches for “McDonald’s” to, “stimulate debate and mobilize support,” says the ETFF.
“The Internet has brought together speakers of many kinds — some competing with trademark owners, others criticizing them, still others simply referring to them while discussing other subjects or products,” says foundation staff lawyer Corynne McSherry.
“Services like Google’s ’sponsored links’ help people with something to say reach those who might be interested in hearing it.”
But Rescuecom wants the court to rule that trademark law regulates virtually any use of search keywords that are also trademarks.
However, online, “trademarks aren’t just identifiers,” says the EFF’s Jason Schultz. “They are essential navigation tools and vehicles of expression. Quashing this speech goes against both the law and the public interest.”
Rescuecom’s case against Google was dismissed last year, but it’s appealing the decision.
Also See:
EFF – Fight Over Google’s ‘Sponsored Links’ Threatens Internet Free Speech, February 22, 2007
If your Net access is blocked by government restrictions, try Psiphon from the Citizen Lab at thIs the end (of the Net) nigh?zze University of Toronto’s Munk Centre for International Studies. Go here for the official download, here for the p2pnet download, and here for details. And if you’re Chinese and you’re looking for a way to access independent Internet news sources, try Freegate, the DIT program written to help Chinese citizens circumvent web site blocking outside of China. Download it here.
rss feed: http://p2pnet.net/p2p.rss | | Mobile – http://p2pnet.net/index-wml.php | | And use free p2pnet newsfeeds for your site
Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
