How do we "Google" from now on?

[wideboy]

All us puzzlers might not be able to "Google" any more - we might have to say "use the Google search engine"? From today's IT news:-

Googling banned says Google

Search engine Google has set its lawyers onto publishers who use the term 'to google' and other uses of the name as a verb - even though it is now in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
The company has sent out a flurry of cease and desist letters to media companies including heavyweights such as the Washington Post barring the use of the term 'Googling'and has helpfully provided a list of appropriate and inappropriate uses of its name in a bid to prevent the so-called 'genericidation' of the name.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/91879/googling-ban ned-says-google.html

[sincnoel]

they haven't a prayer of stopping it.. this is a classic case of horses and stable doors. but then, why should they bother? it's a compliment, after all.

[goldenfield]

I agree it is probably too late too stop the 'genericidation' but as to why they should - Llamatron has posted this link in another thread - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/15/google _brand_abuse/

I concur with Llamatron when he/she says that a good point is made there.

[wallyboots]

Why would they want to stop it? Am I the only one who thinks that having a whole activity/action named after your company is the best free advertising you could ask for? Or am I missing the point somewhere? - quite possible!!!

[goldenfield]

Have a look at the link wallyboots - that will explain exactly why they want to stop it.

[Dustybun]

what a lot of horse shoe replacers! Have they nothing better to do with their time and money. They've made their dosh (an enormous amount of it) out of the 'Google' concept and now it's in the public domain and you can't interfere with people's freedom of speech. Unless, of course, they intend to charge 1p per google!! If it had taken off like a lead balloon they would have had something to moan about. Is it April 1st? :o)

[wallyboots]

Ok. I looked at the link. Really? Hoover? surely that's far too well established. And how do Google intend to prove you didn't use their Engine. If I do actually get it now then if you say 'I Googled it' and did use Google that's ok, but not if you used another seach engine. How do they prove you wrong? Maybe everyone does actually just use Google.
I think my brain is melting!