SAN FRANCISCO Jan. 14 ? In a decision that could cast scrutiny over Internet search engines and online advertisers, a federal appeals court Wednesday reinstated a trademark infringement lawsuit by Playboy Enterprises Inc. against Netscape Communications Inc.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Chicago-based adult entertainment company could proceed with its case against the Mountain View-based subsidiary of America Online Inc., which used words such as "playboy" and "playmate" in online search engines to link to advertisements for adult-themed rivals. Playboy argued the links tarnished and diluted its brand name by associating its trademarks with inferior products.
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