cybersquatting
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I have two blogs (WordPress and Blogger), both called Disability Alert, that advocate for people with disabilities.
A local disgruntled person just opened another identically named blog, Disability Alert, that is hosted on WordPress.
How do I get that person taken down. We are a very not-for-profit and this is an attempt to hijack our work, helping people with disabilities.
Thanks
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Did you register that word as a trademark? I think you need the advice of a lawyer, particularly if you did NOT trademark it.
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Thanks for the reply. Trademarks are for rich companies. The organization is registered but actual use is more important.
I owned a Trademark – cost about $20K in legal fees. The lawyers kept telling me it was a waste of money since actual demonstrated used was a stronger argument.
Trademarks are also impractical – how many countries would you need to register in?
The Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act has come mechanisms for redress. Also their is supposed to be an arbitration process with the name registration org.
I need something faster like within WordPress since both he and I are WordPress.
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Send all the details to Support. This will then be checked and a decision made.
Note: If person is asked not to use the blog they will be allowed to export the content and are free to then import that content into another blog here.
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I have something that might help…
Navigate to ‘http://techsoncall247.com’ and look near the bottom of the page for a service called ‘C-Site’
It is basically a copyright service for websites. It allows you to register your blog content with the federal copyright office. There are two options. One is about $50 and expanded service is about $98.
Once you have the info registered with the copyright office that should be enough to give you an edge.
You can also self-file for a Trademark for around $300 directly by going to the U.S. Patent office: http://www.uspto.gov/
Hope this helps!
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I’ve run up against this issue in several different formats. Using common words like “Disability alert” is going to be a problem if you try to assert ownership. It’s much easier if you pick something unique. I speak as one who has gotten blowback for posting something about the jet set when there’s a company in my town that organizes parties they call Jet Set. You generally cannot assert ownership over common words and natural usage.
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Unless of course you combine it with other words, such as the “Jet Set Toilet Paper Company” of Walla Walla, Washington. (No offense to the people of Walla Walla. I used to live in that area and it is a nice place.)
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Thanks for your help.
I took the advice and we are now Trade Mark pending.
We have a natural trade mark in the geographic area based on use. One word like Alert is hard to defend but the two words are unique. I did a search of Europe and North America when I started and no one was using it or anything close. We have a documented date of first publication. We also have a filing with the provincial goverment over a year ago that locks the name.
We should be OK, it’s just so much hassle. The guy who is doing it works for the University so I’m putting the heat on the President and accusing him of encouraging or fostering the theft. That is making waves. Social media at its best.
Thanks again.
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