Reuters: Technology News: Google not liable for vanity search results: Court

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Google not liable for vanity search results: Court Mar 6th 2013, 17:28 Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Argentina stands by refusal to pay holdouts: U.S. hearing Wed, Feb 27 2013 U.S. appeals court voids Encore robo-signing settlement Tue, Feb 26 2013 UPDATE 4-U.S. appeals court voids Encore robo-signing settlement Tue, Feb 26 2013 Google and Spain wrestle over EU privacy law Tue, Feb 26 2013 Supreme Court bars defendant's retrial after judge errs Wed, Feb 20 2013 Analysis & Opinion Elliott vs Argentina: The Second Circuit's dangerous game Why Argentina will default in 2013 The Google signage is seen at the company's headquarters in New York January 8, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Andrew Kelly By Jonathan Stempel Wed Mar 6, 2013 12:28pm EST (Reuters) - A Wisconsin woman trying to protect her "wholesome" image failed to persuade a federal appeals court to hold Google Inc (GOOG.O) liable because searches for her name could lead people to advertisements for drugs to treat sexual dysfunction. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago said on Wednesday Beverly Stayart did not show that Google violated Wisconsin privacy laws by misusing her name to generate advertising revenue. Stayart claimed that a search for "bev stayart" on the world's largest search engine generates a recommended search for "bev stayart levitra," which can direct users to websites that offer treatments for male erectile dysfunction. The Elkhorn, Wisconsin resident said this was at odds with her "positive and wholesome image" linked to her advocacy for animal rights, her research in genealogy, her published poems and her MBA degree from the University of Chicago. But a three-judge appeals court panel said Google's alleged improper use of Stayart's name fell within the "public interest" and "incidental use" exceptions to Wisconsin's misappropriation laws, either of which would doom the lawsuit. Circuit Judge Ann Claire Williams wrote that the search "bev stayart levitra" was a matter of public interest because Stayart had made it one by suing Google, and by previously suing rival Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O) over similar claims, which she lost. Williams also said that nothing in Stayart's lawsuit suggested a "substantial rather than incidental" link between her name and Google's effort to use it to generate revenue. Stayart's lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The decision took the 7th Circuit more than 11 months after oral arguments to issue. It upheld a March 2011 ruling by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee. Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) and GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK.L) sell Levitra, also known by its chemical name, vardenafil. The case is Stayart v. Google Inc, 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 11-03012. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above.

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