Law Firm’s Ads on Google Don’t Infringe Mark, Court Affirms (1)

A law firm that bought Google search terms matching a rival firm’s name didn’t violate trademark law, the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday.

Although Lerner & Rowe PC showed they have a strong trademark, there was scant evidence of actual confusion caused by Accident Law Group’s use of the mark, Judge Ana de Alba wrote for the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The ruling echoed a recent judgment in favor of 1-800 Contacts in a similar feud with online eyeglasses retailer Warby Parker, where the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said buying a rival’s trademarks ...