A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against Google concerning its practice of allowing companies to buy search-related ads that are displayed when users type in the name of a competitor.

The lawsuit, filed in early 2005 by computer repair company Rescuecom, alleged that Google was violating its trademark by selling ads to Rescuecom's competitors that show up next to search results when someone searches for "Rescuecom," CNET reports. The court dismissed Rescuecom's argument, and the case, finding that selling keyword advertising is not a trademark use in commerce.

After the ruling, CNET quotes Rescuecom founder and CEO David Milman as saying a "dangerous precedent has been set that allows a behemoth to pit smaller competitors against one another, while it rakes in the additional revenue."

French courts haven't been as kind to Google in similar lawsuits. Google lost a trademark lawsuit filed by designer Louis Vuitton earlier this year, and a similar lawsuit last year which was filed by Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts.