Google Seeks Ruling on Keyword Searches

Web search firm Google Inc. has asked a court to rule on whether its keyword searches infringe other companies’ trademarks, a move lawyers said could set the stage for a landmark ruling over online advertising.

Privately held Google gets most of its revenue from selling ads tied to keywords.

American Blind & Wallpaper Factory Inc. has demanded that Google stop selling keyword phrases it says include or resemble American Blind trademarks. Google last week asked a U.S. District Court judge in San Jose to decide whether such keyword advertisements could violate trademark laws.