Beijing — Google Inc., owner of the world’s most-used Internet search engine, appeared a winner in a trademark infringement row in China over its subsidiary’s name and trademark “Gu Ge,” which means “harvesting song” in Chinese, prompted by a company called Beijing Guge Science and Technology, ending an 18- month dispute with a local company, according to Bloomberg.
In 2006, Google named its unit in the country “Gu Ge,” which means “harvesting song” in Chinese. In the July of 2007, a company of Chinese origin by the name “Beijing Guge” sued Google, claiming that the Mountain View, California based Internet company was using its name.
The court case has started in December of that year, but then it was believed that the case was dismissed. Later, it seems that possibly Google filed suit against Beijing Guge afterwards.
The Beijing Haidian District Court announced its judgment that Beijing Guge Science and Technology has to pay compensation to Google China 100,000 yuan ($14,624). In addition, Beijing Guge is required to stop using the name.
In addition, the court also ruled that Beijing Guge must stop using the name because it belongs to Google’s China unit, according to the filing.
Google China spokeswoman Marsha Wang declined to comment. China is the world’s biggest Internet market by users.