03 May NameProtect’s watchdog tool keeps eye on search-engine ads
MADISON – Digital brand-protection company NameProtect has announced a new version of its online trademark search — and a way to see if trademarks are showing up in search-engine ads.
NameProtect’s search tools allow companies to make sure names they want to use are not already taken, or that their trademarks are not being used improperly.
The company’s Search Engine AdTracker, which monitors search-engine ads daily and watches for trademarks that other companies may have bought, is part of its new premium search package. From its survey of search engines, it will report on the strength of a trademark online and how much other companies use it.
The latest version also includes a new annotation feature and customization of reports.
Several trademark holders in the United States and elsewhere have sued over the practice of companies buying trademarked terms for their search-engine ads, according to a company statement.
“NameProtect works hard to help brand-holding companies address new and evolving threats to their rights in the digital environment,” said Mark McLane, chief executive officer of NameProtect. “With our AdTracker service, companies will be able to efficiently police their rights in the important online search arena and ensure that their trademarks aren’t being sold to the highest bidder.”