But It's OK to Google

Actually, Google lost its trademark in France last year. It's been fighting to keep its trademark.

But yesterday, Merriam-Webster Dictionary updated its word list, turning "google" into a word:

Though you may have been "googling" people for years, the verb you were using was technically slang, until recently.

In fact, many regularly used tech words are just now getting the official stamp of approval from English-language dictionaries.

On Thursday, Merriam-Webster announced its latest update, and the new science and technology words added to the venerable dictionary include agritourism, biodiesel, mouse potato, ringtone and spyware.


The OED updated its new-word list on June 15.

Still, companies fight to maintain their trademarks, for obvious reasons, doing their best to avoid relegation to a proprietary eponym.

Trademarks are not verbs, Adobe says.

CORRECT: The image was enhanced using Adobe® Photoshop® software.

INCORRECT: The image was photoshopped.

Trademarks are not nouns.
CORRECT: The image pokes fun at the Senator.

INCORRECT: The photoshop pokes fun at the Senator.


Some further links:

Trademark Links
International Trademark Association
Trade Names

Thanks to Yeti at Metafilter.com.