httpwebwitch - 8:52 pm on Oct 6, 2005 (gmt 0)

<disclaimer>I'm not a lawyer</disclaimer>

had the same thing happen to me, or rather, to a former employer. A major pharmaceutical company made a similar request. They wanted us to remove all references to their drug.

I'm sure what sparked it was that our page - a medical article written by a prominent surgeon - was ranking higher in Google than they were.

We did not remove the drug name or company's name from our page. nor did we even offer to link to their site. Instead we put an asterisk* beside their name in the copy linked to a footnote showing the proper trademark citation. Having made those changes, we replied to their lawyers and asked them to review the site again. They never replied. The matter went away.

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* CorpoDrugLord is a registered trademark of Nazi Pharma Inc

I agree with you,
Asking you to use a trademarked name appropriately is acceptable.
Asking for a backlink is tacky.

You have a couple of choices. I'd wait the 30 days, and see what their lawyers say. Maybe they'll present a good argument for compliance with their wishes. But at least you'll know of what you are being accused, and what threats they are threatening. Then you have the option to comply, or not.

Make an appointment with a lawyer (not the police!) and ask them about this situation- they will likely put your mind at ease and tell you these people are blowing smoke in exchange for backlinks because some SEO consultant told them to.