Comments on: The End Of This Young House

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 05 May 2011 10:18:30 +0000

Well, well! That was one of the best articles I’ve read this week. I didn’t realize how long it actually is until I got to the end and I scrolled back upwards just to see. Kudos to you both for taking it all in stride and coming back with a vengeance and with smiles reaching up to your ears. Shame on that big bully for being all legal and technical about this. Hmmm … maybe they have a patent on the word “young” and “house.” Oh well. ;)

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:18:18 +0000

Wow! That’s pretty funny! We definitely had no idea.

xo,
s

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:09:14 +0000

What TOH wasn’t telling back in mid-09, was that they were planning a Spin Off show with a name opposite their current show. So doing a search may cause people to stumble upon your site – which is exactly how I found you! (even with your new name).

By: Cory Clay

Cory Clay — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:54:02 +0000

So glad you guys chose to be “better” instead of “bitter”! Way to go! The fact that you could possibly intimidate TOH is a coup and a testament that they must believe in scarcity. The pie is big enough for all of us TOH!

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:10:14 +0000

Hey Mama,

We’re not familiar with blogger, but this link will bring you to our subscribe page (which can also be accessed by clicking the button under our search button): http://feeds.feedburner.com/YoungHouseLove

Hope it helps!

xo,
s

By: Mama

Mama — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:06:17 +0000

How the heck do I add this page to my blogger?

By: Stephen Gibson

Stephen Gibson — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:35:53 +0000

So long and thanks for the memories. The new site is great!

By: julie

julie — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:58:36 +0000

Keep your chin up! I like your site better anyways!!!

By: YoungHouseLove

YoungHouseLove — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:42:16 +0000

So sorry to hear about your predicament! It sounds like you have a ton of faithful followers (like all those people who emailed you thinking you were affiliated with the other store) so in the end a name is just a name. You may want to proactively change it just to cut ties and keep this newcomer from profiting off the reputation you worked so hard to build, but you also might want to talk to a trademark attorney. See, even if someone else TMs a name, if you’ve been using a similar name for years before them, they don’t have the right to a TM and will be ordered to change their name. It’s sort of like you have a commonlaw ownership of a name since you were around first, and the fact that she came to town and got a TM doesn’t protect her (as long as you can prove that you used your name longer and that they’re profiting from your name since it’s adequately similar).

Of course in our case we didn’t have our site before the big dogs had their name (since they’ve been around forever) so this rule didn’t apply. And even if it did we’d never want to shoulder the expense of going up against such a giant. But in your case you just might win and the newcomer could be ordered to change their name! Could be worth a shot! Either way, our advice to you is that if you’re passionate about what you do, that’s what earns you fans- and a rose by any other name still would smell as sweet!

xo,
s

By: Little Miss Cupcake

Little Miss Cupcake — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 08:46:48 +0000

A friend just forwarded me your address and I have to tell you how very much I enjoyed reading this post. I am in a similar situation where I have been using a name for my internet biz for the past 2 YEARS (never TMed it) and 2 MONTHS ago someone opened a store in the same city as me with a similar sounding name and filed for the TM. I have recently posted to my blog about the whole sordid saga. I honestly believe that this person knew of me when they chose their name and I know they have been profiting from the reputation I have worked so hard to build — in just 8 weeks, I have had approx. 20 emails from people telling me they visited this other store thinking I was affiliated with it.

It’s funny because I too have been through all the stages you express and am finally at a point of acceptance of the situation (though still harbor quite a bit of anger). I think you have truly made the most of this bad situation and I admire your creativity in spreading the word about your change of name. Am currently grappling with this — do I wait for the cease and desist letter to come or proactively change my name?

Now that you have the perspective of almost a year behind you since the name change, I wonder if you would have done anything differently or have any additional words of advice to share?