Google is in trouble due to its Android software as Erich Specht, a software developer from Illinois has sued the company for trademark infringement. It seems like Specht, which is also an Internet applications service provider, has registered the word Android as a part of his Android Data company and he was granted a patent in October 2002.
Besides Google there are other 47 companies from all over the world which are related with the Android name. It seems like Google tried to apply for a Android trademark in October 2007, but the company was denied in February 2008. However, Google didn’t give up and it claims that the Android Data name wasn’t used for more than 3 years as the company was dissolved about 4 years ago. Also Google claims that people cannot mistake the two names as they are not related.
Google’s problem is that the US Patent and Trademark Office believes that both Google and Specht are developing software therefore “consumers are likely to conclude that the goods are related and originate from a single source.”
In November 2008 Google asked the USPTO to suspend the trademark until both parties can clarify the situation, and their application was granted. Specht claims that he is right therefore he filed suit against many companies including Vodafone, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, ARM, Broadcom, Texas Instruments, Motorola, Samsung, Toshiba, Intel, and NVIDIA. Specht is also asking for $2 million in damages because the companies used the Android name when it was trademarked by Android Data.
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