Google Challenged Again On Keyword Buys

The payday loans provider Check N' Go has objected to Google's practice of selling its trademark to competitors and filed suit against the search advertising company to stop the practice. On a Google search for the phrase "Check N' Go," two sponsored links appear at the top of the results page, and eight more on the right side under "Sponsored Links." None of those AdWords advertisements go to the Check N' Go website, which does appear as the first organic search result in Google. Check N' Go's corporate owner, CNG Financial, filed a lawsuit in federal court over this. CNG Financial has told the US District Court in Cincinnati it wants Google to cease selling its trademark as a keyword, AP Google experienced this when direct auto insurance seller Geico also challenged the practice in federal court. In August 2005, a US District Court directed Geico and Google to try and reaching a settlement in September 2005. Neither side commented on the terms of the settlement, but Geico did here.") Drag this to your Bookmarks. Add to document.write("Del.icio.us") | Yahoo My Web David Utter is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business.