Alexandria - Federal Judge in Alexandria on Wednesday dismissed a key claim in the
trademark infringement suit filed against Google by Geico, the Auto Insurer owned by Berkshire Hathaway. In the trial, which started on Monday, Geico gave a plea that the Google's policy of allowing competitors to buy ads linked to searchers for Geico and Geico Direct confuses the Web surfers who look for Geico.

Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of the United States District Court ruled that the case lacked sufficient evidence that Google's policy confuses the consumers.

According to New York Times, David C. Drummond, Vice President and General Counsel at Google in Mountain View, Calif., called the ruling a victory for consumers, alluding to Google's argument that Web surfers deserve all the information provided by search results and relevant paid ads from all parties.

"It confirms that our policy complies with the law, particularly the use of trademarks as keywords," Mr. Drummond said. "This is a clear signal to other litigants that our keyword policy is lawful."

Christine Tasher, a spokeswoman at Geico in Chevy Chase, Md., was unable to provide immediate comment. The speed of the ruling surprised some analysts.

"It's sort of a lightning-fast conclusion," said David M. Garrity, a financial analyst at Caris & Company, an investment firm in New York. "From the standpoint of Google shareholders, significant legal uncertainty is removed."

The judge will continue to hear arguments on another claim by Geico, that Google is liable for trademark infringement when it lets marketers buy ads that use trademarked names in the ad copy. Google executives have said they remove such ads when trademark holders complain.