ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Corporate lawyers Monday readed their cases before an Alexandria, Va., federal judge in insurance company Geico's suit against internet goliath Google.
Geico filed suit against Google in May for trademark infringement, the New York Times reported Monday. The auto insurer claims by allowing competing insurance companies to buy ads linked to searches for "Geico" and "Geico Direct," Google directs searchers to Geico's competitors' sites. Opening statements were expected to begin Monday.
The final outcome of the case, after expected appeals, will help define how Internet search companies make their money, the Times said. Google, the world's most popular search engine, reported revenue of $805.9 million in the third quarter, 51 percent of which, $411.7 million, came from selling ads displayed next to search results.
Google had previously banned marketers from using other companies' trademarks as keywords if the trademark owner complained. However, in April, it allowed trademarks as keywords so long as competitors' trademarks were not used within the ads.
