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Rosetta Stone Sues Google for Trademark Infringement

2009 July, 10

Rosetta Stone (NYSE:RST), a leading provider of technology-based language-learning solutions, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against Google Inc., seeking to prevent Google from infringing upon its trademarks. In its lawsuit, Rosetta Stone asserts that Google allows third parties including individuals involved in software piracy operations to purchase the right to use Rosetta Stone trademarks or other terms confusingly similar in Google’s Adwords advertising programme.

In June 2009, Google changed its policy stating that “advertisers will be allowed to use trademark terms in their ad text even if they do not own that trademark or have explicit approval from the trademark owner to use it.”

“Google’s search engine is helping third parties mislead consumers and misappropriate Rosetta Stone trademarks by using them as ‘keyword’ triggers for paid advertisements and by using them within the text or title of paid advertisements,” said Michael Wu, general counsel, Rosetta Stone. “Google and its advertisers benefit financially from and trade off the goodwill and reputation of Rosetta Stone without incurring the substantial expense that Rosetta Stone has incurred in building up its popularity, name recognition, and brand loyalty.”

With its lawsuit, Rosetta Stone is seeking, among other things, injunctive relief to prevent Google from selling the Rosetta Stone trademarks or other terms confusingly similar for use in Google’s Adwords advertising programme.

-ENDS-

About Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone Inc. is changing the way the world learns languages. Rosetta Stone provides interactive solutions that are acclaimed for the speed and power to unlock the natural language-learning ability in everyone. Available in more than 30 languages, Rosetta Stone language-learning solutions are used by schools, organizations and millions of individuals in over 150 countries throughout the world. The company was founded in 1992 on the core beliefs that learning a language should be natural and instinctive and that interactive technology can replicate and activate the immersion method powerfully for learners of any age.

“Rosetta Stone” is a registered trademark of Rosetta Stone Ltd.

Source: Rosetta Stone Inc.

Rosetta Stone Inc.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Barr, 0207 819 1296
rbarr@rosettastone.com

or

Investor Contact:
Christopher Martin, +1 703 387 5927
cmartin@rosettastone.com