Baidu Ordered to Apologize for Search Recommendations

Beijing Evening News, 9/01/09

The Ginde Plastic Pipe Industry Group (www.ginde.com) has sued search engine Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) after discovering that a Baidu search for the Chinese version of its name turned up such "relevant search" recommendations as "Ginde Rip-off," "Ginde Industry Group Rip-offs," and "Dirty Secrets About Ginde Recruiting." Ginde requested that the court order Baidu to cease violating Ginde's intellectual property rights, issue a public apology and pay RMB 1 in compensation. Baidu argued that its search technology automatically searches for queries that internet users have actually used with frequency, and that Baidu itself had no part in choosing the relevant query suggestions. The Beijing Haidian District People's Court found that Baidu had infringed upon Ginde's trademark rights, and ordered the search engine to display an apology on its login page for three days. The court rejected Ginde's request for compensation.

Baidu said it would appeal the ruling.

Keywords: Internet trademark Baidu BIDU law litigation IPR infringement online search Beijing Haidian District People's Court

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