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Branding and spelling issues? P&G->P AND G-> PANDG

by Buyseech
5 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi there,

I was just wondering if anyone knows if any trademark issues apply if you use lets say PG.com. Will this provoke P&G (Proctor and Gamble) or wont it?

Does it have to be the meaning/purpose or just the exact phrase?

Some businesses have a differenc meaning if you put AND instead of &. Does their trademark cover AND (and other spelling) as well?

Any ideas?

Thank you.
#branding #g> #issues #pandg #pandg>p #spelling
  • Profile picture of the author TheContentAuthority
    Buyseech,

    Typically if by using characters in a way that could make a reasonable person believe they are the same as trademarked brand of another company, its safe to say you might be infringing. That being said, I’m no trademark attorney and you should probably get the advice of a trademark attorney if you are going to proceed.

    Best,

    Shawn
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  • Profile picture of the author Buyseech
    Shawn,

    that was my first thought as well. Due to the fact that you cannot have a & sign in a domain its safe to say they would be looking out for the "pandg" people. If the site was in fact about a p&g related topic of course.
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  • Profile picture of the author intergen
    I am working with a friend right now who bought RL.com years ago. He is in a protracted lawsuit with Ralph Lauren now. They are waiting him out and trying to whittle him down through attorneys fees.

    But they do not have a right unless they TM'd the phrase - even then it can be challenged. Attorneys always win.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      How many walmart hate sites out there use walmart in their domain?

      You need a valid reason. Nobody can just take a domain. Apple
      can't even trademark ipad mini at the moment, just as a side
      note.

      Your host can disable your account if they don't want the hassle.

      The US feds can shut your website down if you are doing illegal
      things like selling counterfeit goods. But then, none of these
      US laws are worth much outside the borders. Just ask those
      in China, India, Pakistan, Russia, etc.

      If you have a valid reason to use whatever, then use it.

      If you are trying to be a replacement site for the company,
      and people may think you are affiliated, then there may be a
      problem. But they have to go through the process.

      I think people would be amazed at the number of sites that
      ones here would scream about. But the companies can't and
      won't touch them.

      peopleofwalmart.com is one of the funniest websites online.

      Paul
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      If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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  • Profile picture of the author Buyseech
    I think if you dont intentialy hurt the company/brand or misslead people into thinking your site is the original site, its all good. Especially if you are in fact raising brand awareness like peopleofwalmart.com

    I was going more for the explicit wording->intelectual property stuff, but Paul did point out the fact that matters the most. I believe walmart has no reason to take down the site in question...
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