Is it just me or is the fact that the trademark contender is an 'investment research' outfit something to do with it? i.e. their research led them to anticipate Google?
However, a quick check at the UK Patents Office:
http://webdb4.patent.gov.uk/tm/text?...atusselected=A
Suggests that no registration for 'gmail' was made before 2004.
Ah - looking here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4354954.stm
Quote:
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After Google announced its Gmail plans in spring 2004, IIIR rushed to register the Gmail trademark with Ohim, the European Union's trademark office, and the US Patent and Trademark Office.
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Quote:
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IIIR boss Shane Smith points to an independent valuation of the brand, compiled in December 2004 by Valuation Consulting Limited, which suggests a value of between $48m and $64m, although he says his company would have settled for much less.
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Of course, if Google simply abandon Gmail, then IIIR can go whistle for that money and spend it instead fighting the German company also jumping on the bandwagon.