Google Renames Gmail in Germany

Google has lost its long drawn battle with a German businessman, over the use of the name of its email service, Gmail, in Europe. A European trademark office has ruled that Google cannot register 'Gmail' across Europe, as the name is similar to Daniel Giersch's outfit, G-mail, a registered trademark since 2000. After the ruling, Giersch also announced lawsuits to defend more recent registrations of the trademark in Switzerland, Norway and Monaco.

G-Mail, which is short for Giersch mail, provides a 'gmail.de' email address and allows a 'hybrid mail' system in which documents can be sent electronically, printed out by the company, and delivered in paper format, to local addresses.


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