It has been reported that Google will stop issuing new UK subscribers with a @gmail.com address, and will, instead issue a @googlemail.com address. This is following a trademark dispute between a London based firm, who had been using the term Gmail two years before Google introduced their free mail system.
London-based Independent International Investment Research had talks with Google after a similar trademark dispute in Germany forced Google to stop using the Gmail name there. It has been rumoured that IIIR had asked Google for an "exorbitant sum" of money, which would have stopped IIIR from taking further action. The proposal was rejected by Google.
The change will take place from Wednesday, only affecting new users to Google"s email service.