Google has at last launched the beta version of its blog search engine. You can have a look here.

The page is laid out in familiar Google style and results are brought up with headlines and paragraphs similar to standard Google web searches.

There is a proper review of the site on searchenginewatch here.

In other Google news a British company is threatening to take the search giant to court over use of the Gmail name for its email service. Independent International Investment Research claims it owns a trademark of "GMail". The two firms have been negotiating since April 2004 but now IIIR says there is no sign of a settlement so it is considering legal action. IIIR insists it has been using the GMail name for its own product since May 2002.

IIIR has estimated the value of the trademark at £25m to £34m - but stresses it is prepared to negotiate. The company does not own, or claim, the gmail.com address.

Another company has won a prelimary injunction to stop Google using the GMail name in Germany. IIIR is considering joining forces with this firm to fight Google. ®