http://www.theage.com.au/news/biztech/from-google-to-just-plain-google/2006/07/07/1152240473780.html
One of Google's worst fears may have been realised. The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary includes the word "google" which means to use the well-known search engine to look for information on the web.

To quote Google: "We also face risks associated with our trademarks. For example, there is a risk that the word 'Google' could become so commonly used that it becomes synonymous with the word 'search'. If this happens, we could lose protection for this trademark, which could result in other people using the word 'Google' to refer to their own products, thus diminishing our brand."

Hmm.. that would be bad for Google. Or not?

I don't think this is an issue.

Firstly, dictionaries mark known trademarks. For example, "Hoover" has been in dictionaries for decades, yet it continues to be used effectively as a trademark.

Secondly, the usage being indexed is the verb. Even if this becomes synonymous with the verb "to search", it doesn't dilute Google's use of "Google" as a noun.

If, on the other hand, people start saying "I'll find a google where I can search for this" (meaning "I'll find a Search Engine...) then the trademark is becoming generic. But no-one talks like that, do they?

Isn't in endangered already when "to google" means "to search with any searche engine, be it Google, MSN, Yahoo...". Right now, popular usage isn't really that you say "I googled it" when you fount it with MSN, or is it...?

actually I have seen that happen.. ..

me : where did you get this data
other : I googled it
me : Ok send me the link
other : Ok

<link is like : http://yahoo.com/blah/blah/? >>

so what gives.. I think that most people think of "search" = "googleit"

Thats simliar to getting a "kodak moment" on a nikon camera!!

I've got to write an essay on the growth of the english lexicon, and it's going to be about this subject. I'll let you know my grade :-D

Legally it could be a problem for Google. If "to google" is considered a generic phrase, could Google possibly lose the right to the word and would anyone be allowed to use it as they wish?

"For example, the Bayer company's trademark "Aspirin" has been ruled generic in the United States, so other companies may use that name for acetylsalicylic acid as well (although it is still a trademark in Canada)."

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark#Maintaining_trademark_rights_.E2.80.94_abandonment_and_genericide

A verb cannot be trademarked, because it cannot represent a product or service. That's why the dictionary capitalises "Google" when used as a noun, but writes the verb as "google".

I'm sure the phrase "I googled it" causes no anxiety for Google's trademark lawyers.

morley fool has a good writeup

http://biz.yahoo.com/fool/060705/115212455810.html?.v=1

here u can hear how's it's pronounced :) http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?googl01v.wav=google

wow i never knew the "Kleenex" was a brand. Here we use Kleenex more than the Arabic word. Wikipedia has some article about Genericized TM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genericized_trademark .. the part with "Avoiding genericide" is interesting.