does having a name similar to a competetitor have a legal complication?

[heman82]

What is the name of your state? - IL

I plan to start a website business and wanted to know if there will be any legal complications to start it with a name similar to a well established competitor.

For example: There is a very established website by name, say www.abcd.com. I wanted to start my own business selling almost similar thing with a name www.abcd-us.com . Can the company abcd sue me for spoofing its name?

Thanks for your help!

- Heman..

 

[quincy]

Yes, there can be legal complications. You can be prevented from using your own name for a business if it causes consumer confusion.

 

[Hannah13]

and if you still do make sure your competitor does not have bad filings with the BBB...OR it will reflect on you in error.
I am in the credit business...is it a bad idea to have same name people? Juniors and Seniors...YES...
Credit reports get mixed up ALL the time. Consider these factors too.

 

[xmordeciax]

I have seen cases where large corporations have sent cease and dessist letters to certain companies who are using similar names who are in similar industries.

One that comes to mind is a small town family run coffee shop who's owner used her maiden name "Bucks" and named the coffee shop "SamBucks". Starbucks found out and sent a cease and desist letter threatening legal action against the company if they diid not change the name. I don't know the outcome of it all, and i don't know what kind of situation you are in, but honestly you do not want to have to fight a court case against a large corporation.