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"Headlining" your competitors so that...

by smolodoy
3 replies
Just wondering if I were to release a new youtube like website with a new twist not seen anywhere else, can I do a press release with headlines something like "youtube is doomed" "When youtube drops dead" etc.. is that legal to do, can take a legal auction agains me for such headline? I see the insurance companies advertise all the time and mention their competitiors in darker colors but maybe they have persion or something..
#competitors #headlining
  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    In general, no you can't get sued simply for mentioning a company in a headline or story unless it could be deemed to be defamatory.

    Coke says they are better than Pepsi. Pepsi says they are better than Coke. They both use each other's brand names in their advertising. There is even a commercial showing a Coke delivery driver- with a fully logoed "Coke" truck, enjoying a Pepsi in a "Shhh- don't tell my 'boss'" kind of a way.

    McDonalds and Burger King often compare each others products directly in their commercials and use the trade names. "60% of people preferred the Whopper (tm) to the Big Mag (tm)".

    But you could get in trouble if the claims were blatantly false or defamatory.

    Mahlon

    PS I'm not a lawyer but would love to play one on TV....
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  • Profile picture of the author smolodoy
    Thanks for putup, anyone else has any thoughts or knowledge regarding this matter?
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  • Profile picture of the author asiancasanova
    onSubie is right. There's nothing seriously wrong if you use a brand name in a headline unless it is very DEFAMATORY to the brand. If you're simply using it to attract peepz, I see no legal punishments sanctioned unto you.
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