Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do?

Posted by lukeqsee on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:01PM
from the ask-hn dept.

I run Stadia Maps (stadiamaps.com). Google just launched Google Stadia, their streaming service.

Obviously the products don't directly compete (video streaming vs online maps), but Google most certainly competes against us with Google Maps API. Additionally, this product launch will definitely affect things like SEO and name recognition.

Is there anything we can do?

( 5 comments | 4 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do? by Scullwm on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:13PM (#19454004)

I'm pretty sure that Google have paid lawyer to check if the trademark was free before using it. If they are using it, they are confident about any attacks on their use. Good luck.

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Re:Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do? by detaro on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:07PM (#19453938)

That Google also does maps doesn't mean much, as long as they don't use that name for mapping products. Unless your trademark is registered to cover the gaming field too, probably little you can do. But for details, ask a lawyer.

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Re:Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do? by todsac on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:03PM (#19453911)

Do you own the trademark? I would recommend you talk to a trademark lawyer asap.

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Re:Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do? by lukeqsee on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:04PM (#19453923)

We don't have the trademark, unfortunately, but we can demonstrate using the mark for months before Google did.

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Re:Ask HN: Google is using our company's name, what can we do? by inetsee on Thursday March 21, 2019 @12:13PM (#19454015)

I haven't looked, but I am fairly certain that Google has trademarked "Stadia" for the gaming space. You could try trademarking "Stadia" for the mapping space, but that wouldn't prevent Google from using "Stadia" in gaming.

If you have several hundred dollars you're willing to place on a long shot bet, you could talk to a trademark lawyer.

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