4 ms·

Trademarks are for a given category. Apple has a trademark on “Apple” in the computing space but they don’t run up against apple orchards.

jrockway 3y ago
Sure, but the point is that you have to know what category someone is search for in order to apply the ad filtering rules. If people search for "windows", Google has to take its best guess on whether you want Windows 11 or quotes on replacing your wall-holes. Even then, what counts as an ad that competes with Microsoft? Can ubuntu advertise their Windows alternative? Can an authorized reseller advertise themselves as the best place to buy a copy? This problem sounds almost impossible to me, and the cure almost sounds worse than the disease.
- brookst 3y ago
  I suspect there are very few searches for the single word “windows”. Google probably knows the category for the vast majority of searches from additional words, previous queries, etc. But I think it would be crazy to prohibit competitive advertising in the first place.
VWWHFSfQ 3y ago
Apple is presently suing a Swiss fruit association over its trademark on "apple". https://www.wired.com/story/apple-vs-apples-trademark-battle/ https://www.wired.com/story/apple-vs-apples-trademark-battle...
- ovao 3y ago
  This is false. Apple applied for a trademark of a black-and-white depiction of an apple. They aren’t suing any Swiss organization over infringement of a trademark. The Wired article makes it seem like Apple is going after someone here, but they’re ‘just’ filing for a trademark. Whether you agree or disagree with the tactics, what they’re doing isn’t what you claim they’re doing.
- halostatue 3y ago
  Please stop spreading this incorrect version of the story. Apple is not suing anyone; it has asked for a re-ruling from the Swiss trademark authorities. As far as I have been able to see, this is based on the ownership of the Apple Corps trademark, and the Swiss fruit association is making unnecessary noise that has been amplified by the credulous because anything about Apple (Designed in California) makes for more clicks.

jrockway 3y ago

Sure, but the point is that you have to know what category someone is search for in order to apply the ad filtering rules. If people search for "windows", Google has to take its best guess on whether you want Windows 11 or quotes on replacing your wall-holes. Even then, what counts as an ad that competes with Microsoft? Can ubuntu advertise their Windows alternative? Can an authorized reseller advertise themselves as the best place to buy a copy? This problem sounds almost impossible to me, and the cure almost sounds worse than the disease.

brookst 3y ago
I suspect there are very few searches for the single word “windows”. Google probably knows the category for the vast majority of searches from additional words, previous queries, etc. But I think it would be crazy to prohibit competitive advertising in the first place.

VWWHFSfQ 3y ago

Apple is presently suing a Swiss fruit association over its trademark on "apple". https://www.wired.com/story/apple-vs-apples-trademark-battle/ https://www.wired.com/story/apple-vs-apples-trademark-battle...

ovao 3y ago
This is false. Apple applied for a trademark of a black-and-white depiction of an apple. They aren’t suing any Swiss organization over infringement of a trademark. The Wired article makes it seem like Apple is going after someone here, but they’re ‘just’ filing for a trademark. Whether you agree or disagree with the tactics, what they’re doing isn’t what you claim they’re doing.
halostatue 3y ago
Please stop spreading this incorrect version of the story. Apple is not suing anyone; it has asked for a re-ruling from the Swiss trademark authorities. As far as I have been able to see, this is based on the ownership of the Apple Corps trademark, and the Swiss fruit association is making unnecessary noise that has been amplified by the credulous because anything about Apple (Designed in California) makes for more clicks.