How can I contact Google to report an infringement?

andynick · 07-19-2006, 08:02 AM

Until recently, I had the domain name - let's say: www.myexdomain.com.

Because I had such dreadful service from my service provider, I let this domain name lapse - BIG MISTAKE.

Now, if you search Google for my ex domain, and click the first listing on the results page - you get redirected to a HARD PORN site!

I've searched on Google for most of the day - and even tried to telephone their support line in California to report this but I get redirected to the website and I can find no way of complaining about the listing at all.

I simply cannot afford to spend more time searching in vain but feel that it's a serious matter and shouldn't be allowed, so I'm hoping somebody can help me.

Andy

mondine · 07-19-2006, 08:23 AM

Ouch. I can see why you'd be upset.

But unless the domain name is also your copyrighted name or trademark,
I don't think that Google's going to (or can) do anything about it.

andynick · 07-19-2006, 08:38 AM

Thanks for your info Mondine - although I find it very hard to believe Google condones hard pornography!

I can't be more specific about the search result that leads to the porn site without giving away personal contact info - but suffice to say it doesn't suggest you are clicking on a porn link at all (quite the reverse in fact) - and I'm talking REAL porn. Children or elderly people are quite likely to innocently click this link - are you suggesting that's OK?

My question was actually:
How can I contact Google to report an infringement?
Andy

mondine · 07-19-2006, 08:56 AM

Well, that's the thing. It's not up to either me or Google to decide if it's okay or not.
If nobody else owns it, someone could register mothertheresa.com or popejohnpaul.com and put XXX on it.

Looking around, I think the only option you might have is, if it's misleading enough that
it's returned as a result with SafeSearch turned on; you could report the site using the form here.

That's about all I can see as possible. Maybe there'll be somebody along with a better idea.
Good luck.

Anita · 07-19-2006, 09:11 AM

I don't think that mondine is suggesting that it's ok what happened to you, or that Google thinks that p--n is ok.

What it appears that he is saying is that unless you own the copyright and trademark for this site, there is probably nothing that Google can, or will, do. It sounds as if--as you said--your biggest mistake was letting the domain name lapse. Apparently, somebody snapped it up, and is using it forap--n spot.

Simply because someone cannot help you doesn't mean that they condone what has happened. It simply means that they cannot help you, and thats all.

I have called the California number myself, so I know what you mean about being redirected to Google's site. My suggestion is this: Call, and select the option that will most likely get you a realperson and when the person answers, state your problem. If you choose to go back to the site to contact them by e-mail, I suggest that you choose the option closest to your problem.However, I agree with mondine--if you no longer own the domain, or don't own the copyright or trademark, there may be little that Google can do for you. Again, it doesn't mean that they condone what has happened--it just means that they cannot help you.

Anita · 07-19-2006, 09:13 AM

Haha, mondine types quite a bit faster than I do! You got a better answer than I could give.

andynick · 07-19-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mondine

if it's misleading enough that
it's returned as a result with SafeSearch turned on; you could report the site using the form here.

Many thanks Mondine - I tried the safe search and it still appeared, so I used your link to report it.

Presumably, that's all I can do about it for now . . .

Andy

andynick · 07-19-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anita

I don't think that mondine is suggesting that it's ok what happened to you, or that Google thinks that p--n is ok.

Of course, I take your point - but what if the search result suggests the link will take you to (say) Granma's Special Home Made Cookies - but then it goes to one of these sites?

Is THAT OK by Google?
Andy

Anita · 07-19-2006, 12:58 PM

I would certainly hope not! It is definitely something that Google should address.

andrew247 · 07-19-2006, 03:09 PM

Google's aim is to index the internet; not to censor it.

07-19-2006, 08:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
andynick Noogle Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How can I contact Google to report an infringement? Until recently, I had the domain name - let's say: www.myexdomain.com. Because I had such dreadful service from my service provider, I let this domain name lapse - BIG MISTAKE. Now, if you search Google for my ex domain, and click the first listing on the results page - you get redirected to a HARD PORN site! I've searched on Google for most of the day - and even tried to telephone their support line in California to report this but I get redirected to the website and I can find no way of complaining about the listing at all. I simply cannot afford to spend more time searching in vain but feel that it's a serious matter and shouldn't be allowed, so I'm hoping somebody can help me. Andy

07-19-2006, 08:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
mondine Google Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC. Posts: 4,002 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Ouch. I can see why you'd be upset. But unless the domain name is also your copyrighted name or trademark, I don't think that Google's going to (or can) do anything about it. __________________

07-19-2006, 08:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
mondine Google Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC. Posts: 4,002 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Well, that's the thing. It's not up to either me or Google to decide if it's okay or not. If nobody else owns it, someone could register mothertheresa.com or popejohnpaul.com and put XXX on it. Looking around, I think the only option you might have is, if it's misleading enough that it's returned as a result with SafeSearch turned on; you could report the site using the form here. That's about all I can see as possible. Maybe there'll be somebody along with a better idea. Good luck. __________________

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07-19-2006, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
andynick Noogle Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your info Mondine - although I find it very hard to believe Google condones hard pornography! I can't be more specific about the search result that leads to the porn site without giving away personal contact info - but suffice to say it doesn't suggest you are clicking on a porn link at all (quite the reverse in fact) - and I'm talking REAL porn. Children or elderly people are quite likely to innocently click this link - are you suggesting that's OK? My question was actually: How can I contact Google to report an infringement? Andy

07-19-2006, 09:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Anita Senior Googler Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 233 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't think that mondine is suggesting that it's ok what happened to you, or that Google thinks that p--n is ok. What it appears that he is saying is that unless you own the copyright and trademark for this site, there is probably nothing that Google can, or will, do. It sounds as if--as you said--your biggest mistake was letting the domain name lapse. Apparently, somebody snapped it up, and is using it forap--n spot. Simply because someone cannot help you doesn't mean that they condone what has happened. It simply means that they cannot help you, and thats all. I have called the California number myself, so I know what you mean about being redirected to Google's site. My suggestion is this: Call, and select the option that will most likely get you a realperson and when the person answers, state your problem. If you choose to go back to the site to contact them by e-mail, I suggest that you choose the option closest to your problem.However, I agree with mondine--if you no longer own the domain, or don't own the copyright or trademark, there may be little that Google can do for you. Again, it doesn't mean that they condone what has happened--it just means that they cannot help you.

07-19-2006, 09:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Anita Senior Googler Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 233 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Haha, mondine types quite a bit faster than I do! You got a better answer than I could give.

07-19-2006, 12:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
Anita Senior Googler Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 233 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would certainly hope not! It is definitely something that Google should address.

07-19-2006, 03:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
andrew247 Google Guru Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: c:\GoogleCommunity Posts: 3,420 Thanks: 3 Thanked 18 Times in 17 Posts	Google's aim is to index the internet; not to censor it.

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