The folks at Mac developer Nisus Software, my former employer, received a notice from Google a few days ago telling them that they can no longer use the word “Mac” in their Google ads. Considering that they sell a word processor for mac this basically makes AdWords completely useless to them.

According to some other sites, Google is doing this because Apple Legal sent them a letter requesting that all use of the word “Mac” along with “iPod” and other Apple trademarks be blocked in Google Ads.

I love Apple but, how stupid is that? Hey legal, your developers need to advertise so that they can bring you more customers. Your customers need to see these ads so they have a reason to buy more of your computers. So what do you do? Take steps to block people who develop for you from using the only form of online advertising that has been proven effective in the last ten years.

Great job Apple. Whose in charge there anyway? The people who worry about trademarks or the people that want to sell computers? I always thought it was the later.