Comments on: When NOT to Worry about Copy-Cats

By: Trisha Dean

Trisha Dean — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:19:49 +0000

I’m just in shock that someone actually developed bacon flavored envelopes!?

By: Copying Content is Plagiarism and Theft » Sage Wedding Pros

Copying Content is Plagiarism and Theft » Sage Wedding Pros — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:04:45 +0000

[...] few months ago, I did a post on “When Not To Worry About Copycats“. There are plenty of times that people are NOT copying. If I do a trend post on [...]

By: julianne smith

julianne smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:02:12 +0000

as always, advice that is spot on. thank you for sharing and for being so honest!

By: Alison Wren

Alison Wren — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:55:53 +0000

Great advice – especially about ditching the emotion. In the very early days of my DIY stationery supplies business I found a designer using our actual photos. I very nearly sent off an angry email but took that step back and reworded it as a friendly, polite request. That same designer became one of our best customers and is still buying from us 4 years later.

By: whitney elizabeth

whitney elizabeth — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:02:54 +0000

great post and I love your tips on how to handle these situations. still laughing over bacon flavored envelopes!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:52:17 +0000

Thanks Jeff! I think you are 100% correctabout trademark infringement. In the wedding industry, however, there seems to be a lot of people who get upset when someone “copies” an idea… Often times it is coincidence and not thievery. A letter, a call, an email is appropriate to deal with this.

By: Jeff Schmidt

Jeff Schmidt — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:25:06 +0000

Although my suggestion of trademark infringement was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as a graphic designer for a self-help legal document company I’d be remiss not to point out one important aspect of neglecting to defend your trademarks.

“A trademark owner can lose trademark rights if they are not vigilant in protecting trademark rights.”

http://www.blackweb20.com/2009/11/25/the-consequences-of-not-protecting-and-defending-your-trademarks/

I completely agree with Michelle’s assertion that nobody will confuse MMM’s bacon flavored envelopes for her wonderful fine paper goods. It’s “marketplace confusion” that most trademark attorneys would deploy as the primary defense. To Michelle’s point again, different market, different products. But don’t be too quick to ignore a potential threat to your business. Should MMM Envelopes sweep the globe (or the next company with a banner featuring the triple M), make sure you take notice.

And a nice letter or phone call is a good start.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:22:50 +0000

Great post! I bet you have a very calm life. Happy Holidays to you.

By: Barbie Hull

Barbie Hull — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:10:15 +0000

Well written. Well said. The best advice I think was the Be Graceful & Contact that person. You are so right – they probably don’t know they are doing it and would be mortified to find out that is what is going on.

By: Alexa johnson

Alexa johnson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:46:14 +0000

Michelle! I think it’s unwise to assume that clients will choose beauty over BACON! Your invites are stunning, but just think how people jump out of bed when they smell bacon on the stove. To keep ahead of the game, you might need to add a whole menu of flavors for clients to choose from. “I’ll take prime rib envelopes and chocolate soufflé stamps for dessert please”.