Wow TWO Legal Threats From The Competition At Launch...

wow..you hit them hard.. - this is an open market, when ford make SUV, does ford tell mercedes dont build your SUV..just ignore them and good luck on your new honey pot!

It gets even more amusing on my end... logging into PayPal account just now, amongst my payments received - two of my most recent sales where from the two competitors... It will be interesting to see if either of them come out and ask for a refund LOL

and to continue on from last post when they have a new product you could cross promote to your list.

Not sure if your competitors are Warriors but I want to wish you all the best on your product.

Brian

What do you mean by "legal threats"? Have you received anything in writing from their lawyer? This is a grey area to say without seeing their page and your page. It is a matter of fact that some publishers had to change their product names because competitors complained about causing potential confusion. You and them can litigate this and this would probably go in front of jury who would be asked "Is this product using substantial and undeniable similar graphics, wording, etc."? "Can the name of the product easily confuse the customer?"

Most likely the reason your competition bought your product is to see if you ripped their books and to determine if they might have a cause of action against you. Sorry to sound harsh I am not saying you did but this is the likelyhood of their conduct.

That sounds great Derek, but I would still try to prevent any copyright violation, even with the adwords ad. A simple DMCA notice sent to your hosting company is all it takes to bring your site down.

Just a suggestion, don't give them anything they can use against you.

On the other hand, if they're that worried it means you're a big threat, so keep it up.

I know the feeling, I've got some clown trolling me for a feature list for one of my products so he can add them to his...ah well, his sucks anyway

It probably means CONGRATULATIONS!

They are threatened and are worried you will take away *their* market share

So give yourself a pat on the back and let us know how your product is doing!

Intreresting potential sales copy:

"This is so great, even my competitors XXXXX and XXXX have recently purchased it!"

I agree with Jason. Add it to your sales copy.

"This product is so effective, my competitors threatened to sue me!"

Also send them an email that says nothing but... "Free enterprise baby!"

Forums are a bad place to get legal advice.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I already discredit my competitors in the sales copy saying "other products out there are just regurgitating information they found for free online, that will actually further HURT your chances of ___________ __________."

But I could probably go further with it saying how I have proof my competition are actualy my customers LOL!

This legal bullying is common in this business when you make not just a ripple but a Tsunami in a marketplace that can be directly felt by your competitors.

As much as I would LOVE to respond to their emails with a big fat "why so uptight... lower sales got ya down?" comment, that just lights a fire under their ass that betters my chances of ending up in court over their ego and personal opinions of whats illegal.

Your best bet is never responding to any legal threat from a competitor and not even worrying about any threat that is not from their lawyer directly.

One day you do get a message from a competitors lawyer the only thing you should do it forward it to your own legal team.

Then of course contact your competitor directly and let them know your wallets jam packed with disposable income for situations like this and you have all the time in the world to drag out any legal battle.

These "competitors" are trying to drive away other marketers and laying low from being discovered by not opening up their marketing to affiliates. Wait till I get this sucker on ClickBank and a hundred ads with the title "Product Name A Scam?" show up when people search for them in Google LOL

I don't think I'd be too surprised to find out that both
of these competitors are, in fact, the same person or company.

It seems just a little too coincidental that both of them
emailed you and bought your book.

Tsnyder

How about adding a screen shot of your PayPal account and something like, "Even our competitors turned to us for knowledge."

Hey dude,

Just take a screen shot that shows the number for members on this forum. Then attach it to a email telling them if they want to ruin your pursuit of free enterprise you'll be happy to share with the 44k other internet marketers you know on this forum which niche your working in.

@Jae
Coke and Pepsi both use the same marketing channels why would his situation by any different? As long as he has not actually stolen content and is not confusingly similar to their Trademark he should be good to go. Additionally if people do not believe that they are buying your competitors product when they purchase from you it would be hard to prove your product or image is causing confusion in the market.

Just my opinion, less said by you is always the best policy....answer nobody unless compelled to do so by an order or petition.

I have found that when dealing with a serious legal issue, I never assume what they are thinking or what they know, I only react to exactly what I am forced to react to OR for fear of tipping my hat so to speak.


Just my own opinion, I am NOT an attorney or in any way telling you what you should or should not do....<<<< disclaimer.

Enterpryzman

lol ... sounds like you've got them worried. I wouldn't use a title that was identical to their product, but other than that, sounds like they're just squawking because of the competition.

Derek,

We gotta get together for coffee one of these days... and shoot the proverbial shit. There aren't too many of us in this area (So far I counted 3).

Mike Hill

Mike Hill

Derek S,

Just a couple of thoughts...

I would make sure you are trading through an LLC or Corporation, just in case they do sue you.

However, it may be good if you keep the product in your name, but licence it for use to your company.

Then if your company is hit and ends up losing, you may still be able to keep the product etc...

This would have to be fine tuned to make it more watertight but hopefully you get the idea.

Also, the fact that you have been hit twice with legal threats and both appear to have bought the product, suggests either they are both working together, or at least know about each other anyway.

Why haven't these companies sued each other and put one of them out of business already?

So they could be just trying to scare you off. Or the two companies could really be one.

Anyway, protect your ass, don't do anything illegal and just out-market them $$$.

Sam

Hi Derek

An interesting tale. I hope you get to dominate the niche and make mega bucks.
Good to know you are sticking to your guns. I can't see they have a leg to stand on.

Geoff

wow. good feedback.
so just to be sure that i understand this. you only have 2 competitors in that niche?

cool can i join you? please email me the keywords.

ha ha , just kidding, i cannot afford lawers

Ok I stopped reading a lot of the replies, so forgive me if this has already been said:

If you are honestly this concerned about being sued and don't want to risk litigation, be safe and contact a lawyer.

Unless you know one of us has a law degree, you shouldn't be taking legal advice from an online forum.

By the way not trying to sound mean, just straightforward and honest, haha.

Edit: Oh yea, forgot to add it does sound like they are just bullying people, but who knows!

Solomon Huey