Google's path to world domination took a turn for the worse yesterday with news that a small British company has already got the trademark for Gmail and has been using it in 80 countries.

The Market Age, which supplies online financial analysis tools, claims its subsidiary ProNet Analytics has been using Gmail as the brand for its email service since the middle of 2002 and is active in 80 countries, according to the Financial Times.

The company has contacted the US Patent Office to register its interest in the trademark.

Market Age shares, traded on AIM, doubled on the news. Lawyers across the world rubbed their hands in glee.

A search on Google (didn't they do this?) shows another Gmail, which claims to have been operating since 1999 out of California from www.usegmail.com. There is at least one other email service called Gmail from a company called Javeo which you can find at www.gmail.net

Related stories

Google mail is evil privacy advocates
Google launches email, takes the Bill Gates defense
Five-domain Googlebomb explodes in boardroom