Am I copying????

libby · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 00:31

hey everyone

just a quick question, I have had an email from a chap saying that my name is too similar to a large company, within the same industry.

I have checked with my business advisor previously and no-one had that name.

The bloke said that this company wold not take too kindly to my name!! HELP

Beneddie1112 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 00:34

What are the names?

Indizine · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 11:23

we need to know when you started trading and when they started trading and also, have they got the name trademarked.

Alvin · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by libby

hey everyone

just a quick question, I have had an email from a chap saying that my name is too similar to a large company, within the same industry.

I have checked with my business advisor previously and no-one had that name.

The bloke said that this company wold not take too kindly to my name!! HELP

Is the e-mail from this large company.?

Lots of companies seem to be using these bully boy tatics of late.

I would send them an email saying there name is rather similar to yours and that you have put the matter in the hands of your legal team.

similar is not the same and are they in the same business as you.?

Alvin

libby · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 17:27

their name is the white book and it is a large event industry publication

mine is the little white book, and its wedding planning. I know it is similar but I have checked all businesses registered under the name and there are none in the UK. It was not from this company but from another guy, who said they may not take kindly to my company name.

I have also checked them out and found a few companies called the white book all doing different things, still rather confused though, so all advice appreciated

thanks

Indizine · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 18:08

ignore the guy; he clearly didnt do the homework for you!

If the name is not tradfemarked at all, thats one good thing. Second, you are operating a different business, unless they are just a big wedding planner and you are a small one - and Im presuming you are also in a different geographical area too?

How does this guy think taxis, chip shops, recruitment agencies and many more examples, manage to have the same names?

Eagle · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 22:07

I often wonder how many business just capitulate without question?

Alvin · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 22:37

send them a bill for your solicitors fee's.

There going to be busy boys if they intent to go after everyone using "White Book"

Probably just picking on people who made it to page one of google.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...n&q=white+book

libby · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 23:52

thanks everyone, I really do feel much better now, I did wonder if maybe he was trying to help?, who knows though!

DavidT · #10 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 07:31

Can you not obtain the company info from their website (they have to included it by law)?

At least then you can find out the date of incorporation, and see how this stacks up against when you started trading (assuming you're a soletrader/partnership).

I think the main issue may be passing-off, something I'm not too familiar with in regards to the UK... but I'd expect issues may arise if you , or they, appear to be passing of as each other and creating some confusion.