TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Jews For Jesus Files Suit Against Google Over Blog


Jews For Jesus Files Suit Against Google Over Blog


Reuters News Wire (reuters@telecom-digest.org)
Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:01:13 -0600

The Christian evangelical group Jews for Jesus is suing Google Inc.,
saying a Web log hosted through the Internet search leader's Blogspot
service infringes its trademark.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in New York on Wednesday, seeks
to force Google to give Jews for Jesus control of the site as well as
unspecified monetary damages.

"We have a right to our own name and Google has allowed the use of our
name on Blogspot without our permission," said Susan Perlman,
associate executive director with Jews for Jesus.

"Our reputation is at stake," Perlman told Reuters.

Google's Blogspot and Blogger services allow people to set up Web
logs, or online journals known as "blogs" for short, for free. A
Google spokesman declined to comment, saying the firm had not yet
reviewed the lawsuit.

The disputed blog, http://jewsforjesus.blogspot.com, was started in
January 2005 by someone taking the name "Whistle Blower" and airing
critical views of the San Francisco-based organization, which seeks to
convert Jews to Christianity.

The site has only three entries, the last of which was made on May 9.

Comments on the blog showed that Jews for Jesus attempted to persuade
Whistle Blower to transfer the domain to the group but was rebuffed.

Perlman said the critical tone was not behind the suit.

"One of the wonderful things about the Internet is that there is
freedom of expression, but there should be a protection ... so that
organizations like ours can represent ourselves," Perlman said.

Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited.

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