Poll Results

Facing the Competition Closed

Start date: September 19, 2007

End date: October 7, 2007

Search engine giant Google is facing a battle on several fronts to allow competitors the right to purchase trademarked terms as ‘key words,’ which enables them to appear as paid sponsors in search results alongside the original company name, product and/or service for which a consumer is searching.

Trademark holders claim the practice causes consumer confusion. Competitors argue that it’s a matter of fair competition. Who is right?

Poll Answers	Vote Results
Trademark holders. It’s too confusing to have paid sponsors appear along with the actual company, product or service for which a consumer is searching.	59%
Competitors. Consumers are used to seeing competing products sitting side-by-side on store shelves, and expect as much online.	29%
Don’t know.	12%
	Total Votes: 17