More problems with the branding of Google's "Nexus One" handset were claimed today, as it was highlighted that Mountain View has not secured the relevant web addresses.

The firm's first foray into physical retailing was announced at the Googleplex on Tuesday.

Today it emerged that Nexusone.com has been owned by Peter Villanueva of Portland, Oregon, since 1998. It's used to redirect to a web design services site and a paint shop. He might like to call Mountain View to see what they'll offer him.

Nexusone.co.uk is meanwhile occupied by a British musician named Sion, who is promoting his "fusion of ambient, dance, trance, drum 'n' bass and jazz". (Warning: page automatically plays some of Sion's "smoky jazz".)

Given the extra bandwidth charges Sion is likely to incur as a result of Brits seeking information on the Google's smartphone, he might consider sticking some ads on his pages. Or turning off the smoky jazz.

Nexusone.org meanwhile, registered via an anonymising service, seems to be an attempt to send traffic to commercial mobile phone sites, but the links eventually just reload the home page.

Domain seller Sedo said: "A comprehensive domain portfolio plays a crucial part both in consumer marketing and brand awareness.

"Google... will potentially miss out on large volumes of consumers looking for information on the new handset."

The criticism follows legal threats by Philip K Dick's daughter over "Nexus One", a name taken from Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? . In December she said she was taking legal advice, a claim repeated today.

Google's seeming carelessness over branding is in contrast with Apple, which sent fanbois into their customary paroxysms by registering iSlate.com back in December. ®