The UK PPC Blog reports that Google AdWords UK has changed their AdWords trademark policy to be more aligned with the US policy. An email sent to him said:
If you’ve submitted a complaint letter requesting that we prevent advertisers from using certain trademark terms anywhere in their ad text, we will continue our efforts to support your request. However, from May 5, 2008, our trademark complaint investigations will no longer result in Google monitoring or restricting keywords for ads served to users in the UK and Ireland. This will bring our procedure in line with the approach taken in the US and Canada. Complaints received on or after today will be processed under our revised procedure.
In short, UK advertisers can now bid on trademark terms for their ads to show up. They cannot, in most cases, display the trademarked term in the advertisement. But the term can be use to trigger the display of the ad in Google.co.uk.
You can read the details of the policy change at Google, but here are some key points:
- Beginning May 5, 2008, keywords that were disabled as a result of a trademark investigation will no longer be restricted in the UK and Ireland.
- Complaints received prior to April 4, 2008: Google will be investigate complaints against trademark use in ad text and keywords. Complaints will be processed according to the current policy.
- Complaints received on or after April 4, 2008: If the complaint requests that we prevent use of the trademark in ad text, we will continue our efforts to support this request. Complaints will be processed under our revised procedure.
- All Complaints: Beginning in May 2008, keywords that were disabled as a result of a trademark complaint and investigation will no longer be restricted in the UK and Ireland.
Forum discussion at Search Engine Roundtable Forums.
