Sometimes a simple phone call goes a long way…
A while ago I started reading a quality PPC/SEM blog called Apollo SEM. The blogs author, Jameszol recently received a letter from a California based web development firm with a similar name demanding they change their name as it was in violation of a their trademark. I won’t go into the details but encourage you to read the letter he received here about an apparent trademark infringement on the name “Apollo.”
It seems that after a consultation with a lawyer, Apollo SEM is completely in the right and, should they choose to keep their name, brand and continue on with business as usual.
Instead, Apollo SEM will be seeking a new name and brand and walk away from the situation entirely. Right decision? You be the judge but I would be that Jameszol and his partners will earn a lot of respect and credibility in the industry for this ballsy move.
The funny part, I would bet they might even rank for the term apollo interactive one day soon.
To the guys at the other Apollo firm - consider a phone call next time, it goes a lot further to win someone’s respect than a letter from a lawyer.
January 28th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Thanks Adam! :) I think your link will help us rank for “apollo interactive” - nice integration of excellent anchor text for the post.
We would have lost in court though, per the advice of our attorneys. The other Apollo has “seniority” meaning they used their own name for “Internet marketing” services - specifically search marketing - before we did…and courts tend to favor that.
But, we are certainly saving the other Apollo a ton of money (and we’re saving our own money) by changing our business name.
It is ballsy and it is tough and it would have been nice to open a “settlement” negotiation for $20,000 to change our name - but you’re right, we have chosen to simply walk away from it and crush this competitor that crept into our radar. There are friendly competitors and enemy competitors…I hate to say it, but I think you can understand where I would categorize Apollo Interactive.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Why couldnt they just go out and get another domain name? Isnt the internet a “I bought the domain before you nee ner, nee ner, now leave me alone” idea?
January 29th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Litigation like this is always interesting. After watching people’s court for the past week during lunch I must say some people have it far worst!
January 29th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I agree with you. The phone calls can be 30 seconds but it can be 30 minutes or more…
January 30th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I completely agree with the phone call being the best bet. Some people seem to think that having a lawyer do the business makes them seem like they are big, bad, tough guys.
You get more bees with honey, or however that saying goes.
February 5th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I Think, It’s Very Nice…
February 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
It is funny how since email technology has been adopted in companies people dont want to get in the phone. They rather just write lenghty emails than have a 2 minute conversation..
September 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Sometimes phone calls just don’t get the job done. If they don’t then it’s time to take that next step.