hi,
i am seeking help regarding my business name. for two years i've been using the name. i've got a brick and mortar and a very robust website.
yesterday i got a letter from a company in WI who apparently trademarked the name in 1988. they want to me to be licensed by them, to control my inventory, take a percentage of sales, etc.
i called the guy and had a heart-to-heart with him, however, when he heard how well my website was doing, i could "hear" the dollar signs popping in his eyes.
changing my name is going to be quite damaging in all aspects. however, i am trying to find out what rights i do have online. what or who governs trademark infringement online? i have spent hundreds of hours with my SEO, i don't want to lose my place OR to have him reap the benefits of MY hard work.
is there anything i can do to keep my name??? he dyes children's clothes and has a store. i do not manufacture anything, only have a children's store. additionally there are about seven other KNOWN businesses with the same name.
thank you for any help!!
warmly,
Julie
i am seeking help regarding my business name. for two years i've been using the name. i've got a brick and mortar and a very robust website.
yesterday i got a letter from a company in WI who apparently trademarked the name in 1988. they want to me to be licensed by them, to control my inventory, take a percentage of sales, etc.
i called the guy and had a heart-to-heart with him, however, when he heard how well my website was doing, i could "hear" the dollar signs popping in his eyes.
changing my name is going to be quite damaging in all aspects. however, i am trying to find out what rights i do have online. what or who governs trademark infringement online? i have spent hundreds of hours with my SEO, i don't want to lose my place OR to have him reap the benefits of MY hard work.
is there anything i can do to keep my name??? he dyes children's clothes and has a store. i do not manufacture anything, only have a children's store. additionally there are about seven other KNOWN businesses with the same name.
thank you for any help!!
warmly,
Julie