Listen to my interview here on the David Lawrence radio show (August 08, 2007) on:
- the basics of trademark piracy claims
- whether there is any justification for the notion that copying a brand is anything other than stealing
- why businesses based on not coming up with their own designs have any place in our market place
- do American consumers really not get that buying pirated goods (whether its a digital song or a clothing item) is no different than having your own ’stuff’ pilfered.
- do you agree that copying is stealing or a form of flattery? Isn’t the flattery argument a ruse?

Let me know your thoughts.

- if someone else is using your brand or mark

- if there is an in appropriate use of your mark

- if your brand is being eroded by a generic use

We often use Thomson’s Web Monitoring Service and do not mark it up when obtaining these services for clients. I urge you to also look at the CCH solution but not to over look the benefits of knowing what is really going on out there. Remember what Andy Grove said - paranoia, by watching your competition, is good.

Got a style guide? This is a separate issue from whether you are properly using your brand or mark which we won’t go into here. If you are unsure whether your own use is up to par, let us know if we can help you be providing a style guide to your marketing group. Think adjective generally as the standard for proper use of your mark. Nothing - not even my web site which is just general info - is a substitute for having someone really look at how you are specifically using your brand or mark. Give me a call if you would like to find out more.