Google will be hoping bad news doesn't come in threes.

Estimates suggesting early Nexus One sales pale in comparison to its rivals have been quickly followed by the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) dismissing the firm's claims over it name.

The PTO states in its ruling that Google's application has been denied because of the "likelihood of confusion" with a Nexus trademark held by Integra Telecom.

The Oregon-based telecommunications company currently uses the Nexus moniker as part of its bandwidth line-up, having first registered the trademark back in 2008.

Google, however, is refusing to lay down, claiming it "continue(s) to claim rights to the Nexus One trademark in the United States, and plan(s) to respond".

The company will be able to appeal the decision, further evidence to support its claim also able to be submitted.

It's certainly not the first trademark battle to consume the mobile industry.

Apple and Cisco previously settled a dispute regarding the name "iPhone" back in 2007, the latter party agreeing to share the handle in return for "interoperability" between the two firms' respective products in key areas.