|
Go.To tells GO to stop
|
 |
February 18, 1999: 6:13 p.m. ET
GoTo.com files motion against Disney and Infoseek over GO Network logo
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - If the yellow and green logo for Disney's new Web portal, the GO Network, looks like it's everywhere, it is.
And that's just what the folks at rival search engine GoTo.com are upset about.
Pasadena, Calif.-based GoTo.com filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and Infoseek (SEEK) in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles Thursday to bar the use of the GO Network logo because of the "striking similarity" between the two logos.
GO Network is an Internet portal operated by Disney and Infoseek. The site, which launched Jan. 12, combines Infoseek's search and directory technology with content and electronic commerce from, among others, ABCNews.com, ESPN.com and Disney, which owns a 43 percent stake in Infoseek.
Logos look very similar
Both logos play off the image of a traffic light and feature a green circle with a yellow background with white lettering in the circle. The GO Network uses the image of an actual traffic light, while GoTo.com's logo uses color and design to suggest a traffic light.
GoTo.com said even the font in the lettering used in the GO Network logo is nearly identical to its logo.
"Although GoTo.com is a small company without the financial might of a company like Disney," Jeffrey Brewer, GoTo.com's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, "we've invested millions of dollars and thousands of hours throughout the past year to get our trademark in front of consumers and to build brand awareness."
Even Disney's ESPN is confused
GoTo.com said Disney's GO logo is causing confusion in the marketplace.
As an example, Brewer said GoTo.com was contacted by the ESPN cable TV sports network, also owned by Disney, about GoTo.com's possibly wanting to buy TV time for advertising. The ESPN ad representative, apparently not knowing the difference between GoTo.com and the GO Network, offered GoTo.com the "Disney family'' ad rate.
Brewer stressed his company was not spoiling for a fight, noting "the last thing we want to do is be involved in a legal battle with an 800-pound gorilla."
Since the launch of the GO Network, Brewer said, GoTo.com had "several meaningful and sincere discussions" with Disney and Infoseek, but the companies could not come to an agreement.
"The only course of action left to us at this point," Brewer said, "is to pursue legal recourse to protect the interests of our constituents - the consumers, advertisers, business partners and investors who rely on us."
A spokesman for Infoseek said the company intends to fight the lawsuit.
"We've haven't seen the complaint, but based on the press release, we believe the claim is baseless" the spokesman said. "Disney has secured the rights to the Go Network and we will defend our rights vigorously."
Disney closed down Thursday 3/8 at 34-1/2. Infoseek was down ¼ at 59-5/8.
--from staff and wire reports
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
