Google has been banned from using the name Gmail by a German court, after the founder of similarly branded G-Mail brought a case against the search giant.The search favourite is no longer permitted to use the name for its popular webmail service in Germany, as 33-year-old G-Mail founder Daniel Giersch won the infringement lawsuit in its fourth round.
Giersch secured the name G-Mail back in 2000, four years before Google and said after the case that he "always believed in fairness".
"Google infringed the young businessman's trademark that had been previously been registered," said the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in its judgement.
The trademark lawsuit had been going on for almost three years and each individual court process is reported to have cost a five-figure amount.
But this isn't the end of the matter, as legal proceedings have been brought by Google against Giersch in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
His lawyer Sebastian Eble said: "Google has announced, at least in writing, to 'fight' my client abroad for as long as it takes before he drops the legal claims lodged in Germany."
"I have made it clear since the beginning that I will never sell the name," Giersch added. "It is my sole intention to realise my idea for a hybrid mail system. I am absolutely convinced of its success. Neither "G-mail" nor myself are for sale."
"Germany is an innovative country with good value and legal systems. This is an ideal prerequisite for the development and realisation of forward-looking ideas. I feel good here and I am happy to work here."
