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Google stopped using the Gmail name in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, ending a trademark dispute for now.
The Gmail service there is now known as Googlemail.
A Google representative said that the search giant decided to change the suffix after protracted wranglings with research firm Independent International Investment Research (IIIR), which uses the name G-mail to refer to a part of its financial analytics software.
"We are still working with the courts and trademark office to ensure our ability to use the Gmail name, but this could take years to resolve," the representative said. "And in the meantime, we want our users to have an email address and experience they can rely on. We also want to relieve both Google and our users of the distraction of the dispute."
While all previous Gmail accounts will remain valid, new U.K. users signing up for Google's email service will be given accounts ending in @googlemail.com, rather than @gmail.com.
The search giant, which launched Gmail in April 2004, voluntarily ceded the trademark to London-based IIIR.
IIIR registered the trademark Gmail in the time between Google's Web-based e-mail launch and attempt to trademark the Gmail name.
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The Gmail service there is now known as Googlemail.
A Google representative said that the search giant decided to change the suffix after protracted wranglings with research firm Independent International Investment Research (IIIR), which uses the name G-mail to refer to a part of its financial analytics software.
"We are still working with the courts and trademark office to ensure our ability to use the Gmail name, but this could take years to resolve," the representative said. "And in the meantime, we want our users to have an email address and experience they can rely on. We also want to relieve both Google and our users of the distraction of the dispute."
While all previous Gmail accounts will remain valid, new U.K. users signing up for Google's email service will be given accounts ending in @googlemail.com, rather than @gmail.com.
The search giant, which launched Gmail in April 2004, voluntarily ceded the trademark to London-based IIIR.
IIIR registered the trademark Gmail in the time between Google's Web-based e-mail launch and attempt to trademark the Gmail name.
Read more...
