QUESTION
How can I stop someone from stealing my business name?
Asked on Aug 14th, 2011 on Patents - Oregon
More details to this question:
I've recently received an e-mail from an anonymous individual from (mycompanyname)@gmail.com. In the e-mail, they threaten to copyright and trademark my business name (my business is a registered s-corporation in the state of FL for 2-3 years now), and upon receiving said copyright/trademark, forcing me to remove my website unless I pay them a hefty "premium." The person threatening mentioned in the e-mail that they are an old client who was upset with the service they received, so in return they want to ruin my business. They also signed the e-mail with my name (and may quite possibly be posing as me in e-mails to others). Is it true that they can suddenly trademark the name that I came up with and force me to stop doing business as it? Also, is signing e-mails with my name and threatening me illegal (extortion possibly)? If so, what do I have to do to stop this individual. Is there somewhere I can report them or will I be forced to sue them?
2 ANSWERS
I suggest that you speak with an intellectual property attorney as soon as possible to go over these details further.
Answered on Aug 19th, 2011 at 11:06 AM
If you have been using the trademark before they register it, then they cant stop you. However if they get the domain name - it will be a lot of work to get it taken away from them.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2011 at 7:13 AM