Bing! Sues Microsoft Over Trademark Infringement
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:26am ET by Barry Schwartz
Small design firm sues Microsoft over Bing name from Ars Technica reports a St. Louis based design firm named Bing! is suing Microsoft for using their name. Bing! Information Design (www.bing.biz) is suing over “trademark infringement, unfair competition, and tortious interference with business expectancy.”
They filed their case on Wednesday, December 16th in Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis. The Simon Law Firm in St. Louis even released a press release on the suit saying, “For nearly 10 years my client has been using the Bing! mark,” explains Anthony Simon. “My client selected this unique mark to distinguish itself in the marketplace and invested substantial time and effort promoting its business using Bing!. Microsoft’s use of the identical mark and its aggressive advertising have gutted all of my client’s efforts to distinguish its business and created confusion that must be remedied.”
Microsoft’s spokesperson told Ars:
We believe this suit to be without merit and we do not believe there is any confusion in the marketplace with regard to the complainant’s offerings and Microsoft’s Bing. We have not been served with a complaint, but are aware of the suit based on media reports. We respect trademarks and other people’s intellectual property, and look forward to the next steps in the judicial process.
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Premium member since 01/2009
Since they offer completely different types of services, I can’t imagine this will go anywhere.
Good way to get press and links tho on the little company’s part!
Premium member since 09/2009
Well said, Jill! Classic link bait. As long as no actual suit has been filed and significant expenses incurred, the links from major media outlets and the traffic would be worth the expense.