9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What's in a Name???

by JoMo
8 replies
I just saw a warrior forum ad that said "if Chuck Norris did SEO..." Can you use celebrity names in your ad campaigns without seeking permission first? This guy may have permission. I don't know. I was just wondering.

Can you use something like: "...deals so crazy, Charlie Sheen would be jealous" as long as you don't name the product or the campaign "Charlie Sheen"?



-joel
  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Originally Posted by JoMo View Post

    I just saw a warrior forum ad that said "if Chuck Norris did SEO..." Can you use celebrity names in your ad campaigns without seeking permission first? This guy may have permission. I don't know. I was just wondering.

    Can you use something like: "...deals so crazy, Charlie Sheen would be jealous" as long as you don't name the product or the campaign "Charlie Sheen"?



    -joel
    I don't see any reason why not... Only bigger companies can be noticed if they do that without permission....you can use anyone's name.. even sarah palin.. lol
    Signature



    Moderator's Note: You're only allowed to put your own products or sites in your signature.

    Signature edited.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3500868].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author moykan
    i will use Lady Gaga... it's her time now ;-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3501108].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Martin Luxton
      Check with a lawyer.

      If you leverage somebody's name without permission to make money, for example use it as the title of a product e.g. the Chuck Norris SEO Method, don't be surprised if you get into trouble.

      Similarly, using company/trademarked names in domain names e.g. Google, Kindle, Facebook is not a good idea.

      Check with a lawyer.


      Martin
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3501193].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Martin Luxton View Post

        Check with a lawyer.
        ^^^ This.

        If you're using someone name's for promotional or self-serving reasons of your own, then in most countries you're encroaching on their civil rights, I think.

        If they're well-known enough for their name to be commercially helpful to you in any way, they can probably afford a lawyer.

        Make sure you can, too, because you may need one.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3501220].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author exite2010
          I just got a harsh mail from MGM for using "jamesbond" as part of my domain name. Wasn't too pleasant so definately not gonna do anything like that again. Not even grey zones... In all probability you won't get caught for violating copyrights on a small scale site but if you do it might have ugly consequences - I'd just stay away.

          If you still want to you could write the copyright/trademark/... owner and ask permission. You might be lucky that they don't mind and would just like the extra promotion
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3501268].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JoMo
    I've heard some people say that it is only wrong if you get caught. They say to use whatever you want until you get a C&D then change the ad campaign. And all that time you got free celeb marketing.

    It just doesn't sit right with me though.



    -joel
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3507811].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by JoMo View Post

      They say to use whatever you want until you get a C&D then change the ad campaign.
      Those are people too ill-informed to know that in addition to a C&D you can get a lawsuit for all the takings-to-date from the existing ad-campaign and sometimes even punitive/exemplary damages, too.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3507851].message }}

Trending Topics