EQUTE — Google has finally started cracking down on the multitude of “Google Cash” business opportunity offers

They are, of course, suing for trademark infringement since many of these affiliate marketers were prominently using Google’s name and logo all over their sites and landing pages.

This action seeks to stop a widespread Internet advertising scam that is defrauding the public by misusing the famous Google brand. The scam victimizes unsuspecting consumers by prominently displaying the famous GOOGLE mark, by suggesting sponsorship by the plaintiff, Google Inc. (“Google”), and by urging consumers to obtain a kit supposedly showing them how to make money working from home with Google.

The kit is advertised as free, except for a nominal shipping and handling charge or access fee. However, people who sign up for these offers have their credit cards charged with substantial recurring monthly fees. They also receive little of value, or nothing at all, in return for their payments.

Google filed a lawsuit against Pacific WebWorks and a slew of unnamed affiliates and other people. The offers came under many trademark infringing names:

The offers were provided to affiliate marketers, who got readers looking for a get-rich quick scheme to pay a dollar or two for shipping for an information packet. These sites featured a lot of fake user stories and big checks with Google in the corner. They promised fat checks, fancy houses and the lot. Google Cash orders, however, signed them up for a rebilling offer of $80 a month. And as the suit says, buyers “also receive little of value, or nothing at all, in return for their payments.”

So once buyers saw their bank account, it appeared Google had just ripped them off — a textbook case for dilution on top of the trademark infringement.

The Pacific WebWorks also got hit with a federal cyberpiracy charge — which can come with up to $100,000 per site fine for each site that registers, traffics in or uses a domain name that infringes on Google’s trademark. (Cornell Law Collection)

Going through all the law of the case is a promethean task, but this single fact gives an idea of the scope of the suit.

If the lawsuit extends to every affiliate site, landing page, affiliate network site etc., Google stands to make a lot of money — or at least the legal team does. But the suit also makes an example out of trademark infringers, and since Google is doing it, it may set major legal precedent for trademark law on the Internet.

Pacific WebWorks is going to be hurting if it exists very long, Google’s suit basically knocked their stock to zero. But that was no surprise — what will be interesting to see is how much each affiliate is hit with. The suit could rework how affiliates are affected by the law.