Stolen Business Name

[DiscoMagic]

Ok, so I am not sure where I stand on this.

When I started Disco Magic up 6 years ago. I thought long and hard about the company name for my new brand back and eventually came up with the name "Disco Magic". I liked it and obviously googled to see if any other company had simular or same name.

At the time there was none, other than a little known italian record label and so it would seem that I would be the only Disco Magic in the UK.

Having recently looked again I came across several others which have sprung up and apperently "nicked" my brand name:

http://www.angelfire.com/music4/discomagic/
www.discomagicwindsor.com
http://www.discomagicgateshead.co.uk/
http://www.discomagic4u.co.uk/
http://www.selectlocal.co.uk/search/...ic_(mexborough)
http://businessnetwork.co.uk/busines...ld/disco-magic
http://directory.thesun.co.uk/webcard/4202994

So I am no unsure as to what to do? Do I have any where that I can go with this. Obviously dissapointed.

Or do you think I am making a fuss about nothing!?!?!?

[equinoxdiscos]

This is an interesting subject. I'd be interested to hear what others say.
As I understand it, unless you register your name (which costs money and might not even be approved), there is nothing you can do other than ask others to to change their names?
I would not think too much about it and market yourself differently to others. Customers should be interested in you, not your company name.

[musicologydisco]

How would it affect your business in practical terms? Probably not at all. Forget about it and focus on YOUR business!

[discomobiledj]

The disco magic windsor site is bordering on copyright.

[Pe7e]

Disco Magic Windsor claims he been operating for 10+ years which begs the question, who's nicked who's name? The good news is, nobody has registered the name Disco Magic, so for around £500 you could register it yourself, but wether or not you could retrospectivly prevent others from continuing to use it is debatable, and if you could, can you afford the legal fees x 7?

[STEVE HANLEY]

I wouldn't have thought the guy based in Gateshead was any threat to you. Unless any of these others can have a direct impact on your business. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it

[DiscoMagic]

How would it affect your business in practical terms? Probably not at all. Forget about it and focus on YOUR business!

It porbably wouldn't, but that is not the point! It upsets me that someone else has nicked my imagation and idea's.

The disco magic windsor site is bordering on copyright.

How so? I am no legal buff, and would be interested to know how copyright is broken. I have not registered the name???

Disco Magic Windsor claims he been operating for 10+ years which begs the question, who's nicked who's name? The good news is, nobody has registered the name Disco Magic, so for around £500 you could register it yourself, but wether or not you could retrospectivly prevent others from continuing to use it is debatable, and if you could, can you afford the legal fees x 7?

Would not be able to afford £500 + the legal fees to start with. Yes he states he has been operationg for 10 years, but if so why did he not register a website until 2010??? It is one of the first things I did!!!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Not sure how you can say someone has upset you because they have "nicked your ideas and imagination". because it could be totally innocent?

I haven't looked at the links you posted.

I'm sure a lot of people have ideas and imagination too and maybe the two of you are just on the same wavelength?

[Retrodisco]

There are lots of business areas where many companies share the same name.

Hairdressers, chip shops, builders, etc, often there are dozens in the country with the same name, it shouldn't be an issue.

[Jonathan Ford]

Yes he states he has been operationg for 10 years, but if so why did he not register a website until 2010??? It is one of the first things I did!!!

I wouldn't read too much into that. I've been at it for 18 years, but have had a website for probably less than a year.