Using another companies name in mine

Hi All,

I am starting a small specialist recruitment agency focussing on staff to the channel of a particular large software vendor, who's name I would rather not disclose yet, so I will use "peach" instead as that has particular similarities.

I have registered the name peachpeople.co.uk and the company will be called Peach People Ltd. I know this particular company are quite hot on how their channel use their name and logo. So, do you think I am breaching the use of their company name doing this? The typeface is different and I have not copied their logo at all. The only comonality is the use of their company name within mine and that I am specialising in providing staff specifically within their channel.

Thanks
Oh, this is a UK company btw.

 

I don't know about UK law, but in the US that is a big no-no. Many businesses have very similar names, but to use the same name within the same niche when one company already has a registered trademark is a problem. You probably want to check with a lawyer, or hear what some of the UK members have to say, though.

 

Thanks, yeah it only dawned on me today that it could be a legal problem. Anyone from the UK know about this ?

 

Contact a corporate lawyer, they'll provide you a tiny bit of advice for free. but at least you know it's right.

 

I'm not a lawyer, but from my experience I would say that it's a definate no.

You would be better to be known as ABC Company Ltd. and say you specialise in recruitment for people who are looking for employment using Peach software.

The most important decision you will make when starting a business is it's name, logo and domain name.

 

You definitely don't want to be using another company's name as part of yours. That implies that your company is somehow related to the other company, which they certainly won't be happy about. As others have said it'd be a trademark infringement too.

 

If you are not financially able to pay a corprate lawyer the $ they are looking for, do some research. Most cities have groups of retired business men (and women) that spend their days helping young entreprenuers move forward with their business ideas.

San Diego has a great group of gentlemen that have helped me in the past and I have heard of them around the country.

Bring them a bottle of Chevez and you should get some great advice!

 

Thanks all, I suspected as much, looks like I'm gonna have to rethink things a little