Forum Moderators: not2easy
I launched my site before they had any site, however they reserved their domain name before I reserved mine. The name of their domain name only partially reflects what they are calling themselves - as the example above shows. We both are offering completely different services even though are name is the same. I don't have my name trademarked and I'm pretty sure they don't have theirs trademarked either.
Now we both have confusion amongst visitors as to who is who.
What can I do about it?
Thanks,
You say you operate in different markets, that means you are both entitled to use the name (apart for some special circumstances).
Lets say you sell food and the other company provides healthcare services, there should be no problem with you both being called XYZ. The thing about trademarks is that they distingush a particular type of product or service, you can't own a trademark across all types of business unless your business is remarkably diverse.
Examples that show this are companies that use initials - should there be only one company allowed to use a set of initials? of course not, but if you try to sell food under the initials KFC you will be in trouble. Kirremuir Fencing Contractors would be able to use KFC in their line of business though.
I've had occasion to land accidentally on an unrelated site because I'd mis-guessed the URL of my intended target. I always appreciate when the mistaken URL provides a link to the intended one. It probably saves them from having to deal with a lot of unnecessary e-mail queries, too.
Just a thought....
Eliz.
