Yesterday, an SEO client expressed their concern for websites having sponsored links on a keyword trademarked by the company. Some of these websites were authorized resellers of the company's product.  However, several of the other sponsored links were websites that sold the product at a discounted rate or sold the competitor's products.  I began investigating Google's policy on trademark infringement.  

Through my research, I found ads which use the term in a descriptive or generic way, and not in reference to the trademark owner, or the goods and services corresponding to the trademark term, are permitted to use the trademark in the ad text. Websites that sell components, replacement parts or compatible products corresponding to a trademark term, are also permitted. However, the websites must provide non-competitive and informative details about the goods or services corresponding to the trademarked term. If the websites did not respond or take action, then it was recommended to use Google’s online complaint form. Google’s trademark policy can be found at http://adwords.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=145626. Google’s online complaint form can be found at https://services.google.com/inquiry/aw_tmcomplaint.