"Sponsored Sites"

[Robert]

Per article by Armen Varitan in April 5's CW, page 64, search engines such as Google are selling "sponsored sites" which link brand names to certain keywords.

In Arman's example, if you type in "Coca Cola" you get a link to the "real thing" (pun intended) plus links to a bunch of businesses not affiliated with the actual company (who sell T-shirts and the like). Those non-affiliated companies have paid the search engine people to attach their name to what amounts to a registered trademark.

From the article: Prominent coin dealers "believe that their substantial investments in advertising and their good reputations are being hijacked by competitors who, in their view, cynically use the long-time dealers' tredemarked names to direct potential customers to the hijackers' own sites."

So it's conceivable that one day you could do a search for "Coppercoins.com" and be directed to this site and also to "Billy Bob's Donut Shop and Lincoln Cent Variety Store".

I expect things to change, IMO.

The lawers are having a field day at the moment though, no doubt.

[Bob P]

How'd you find out about my donut shop and Lincoln Cent Variety Store???

[Robert]

I "googled" your name.