Only if it stays in this thread. If you quote outside the thread, you are breaking the law, not that anyone can do anything about it. Rob
Never liked this guy from the first I time I saw one of his ads. The first thing I'd do is see if he actually owns the trademark he claims. If he doesn't, ignore him. The second thing I'd think about is the laws regarding fair use. If you are using his name to pass off as him, that's one thing, if it to expose and parody him that's another thing altogether. Not a lawyer so it just my thought on the matter. Finally, if he's going bankrupt - where's he going to get the money to sue you from That said, he could try and claim your site is responsible for any said downfall, but I guess he'd have to prove that. Anyway the world is full of rich jerks, what gives him the exclusive use of the title
I've just read something on Shoes site, he pretty much owned RichJerk, anyway, all this conv will only get RJ more popularity. /sigh
I think you can give him the domain now. I don't see your website in googles SERP on the front page anymore, but I do see this thread if you search for "rich jerk" But seriously every other website in the SERPs is a domain with the name "rich jerk" in it, so he needs to come up with a new gimmick, like "poor bastard"
it is getting bad even "thats hot" is trademarked but the phrase "life is good" has been around a while kind of like the company LG who owns it
Offer to sell him your website, and if he refuses, Tell him you graduated U-Pen law and that you'd love to have an oppurtunity to clash with him over the trademark issue as you defend yourself. Invite him to pursue legal action as you're a tad rusty on trademark infringment / Law.
I'd be very careful about this and I would get expert legal advice immediately. Let me tell you that being sued is no fun and once you are being sued then you have to defend and that can mean big bucks. You could end up in a situation where you are simply making the lawyers rich, so be very careful. I have not been sued for this type of thing, but I have been sued and it cost me $16,000 in legal fees and then the Lawyer said I could not win the case He got rich, the other lawyer got rich, the person suing got richer and I got poorer Be very careful!
maybe my post about a similar case here; http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=365855 will shed some light on this post as well.
There's an interesting review site that I came accross on Google, it reveals alot of the content, Its the first one in the natural results, I love the title "The Rich jerk is going to hate Me for This" http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rich+jerk+reviews&btnG=Google+Search
Heh, jerk is right. I read that crap. That is your typical fly by night ruse. Unfortunately loads of people fall for it, thereby making him yet even more of a jerk. Changing the name should do it, as it would make you compliant to his requests. I would still leave the content up though. Its a matter of freedom of speech. No one can stop you from voicing a legit beef about a product. Especially if its ridiculous. Nice post vstar lol.... made for some funny reading. Nigel