Marketing with competitors' brandname

[JEKP]

Hello Everyone,

I am about to sell a product (under my own brandname) that is compatible with competitor's products. My competitor's brandname is a registered trademark.

So it is quite similar to the case of Nespresso machine and its competitors making capsules that can fit in the Nespresso machine, but my and my competitors products are not as high-tech, so no patent.

My question is will it be illegal for me to mention my competitor's brandname in my marketing materials (e.g. posters..etc) that my product is compatible with theirs?

Please help me and thank you in advance!

Best,
JE

 

[StaceyPreedy]

I think you can yes. As a general guideline I found this webpage from apple which states its legal standing on people selling products compatible with theirs so I would have a read through as I think it has some helpful guidelines to follow such as not using any part of their name in the product name, not using their logo or in anyway making it sound as though the product was made or agreed to by them. (the bit you want to read is a little down the web page).

http://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html

Hope that helps, you could maybe search the company your product is compatible with and see if they have a similar document or even email them directly and see what they say.

 

[JEKP]

Thank you very much Stacey! JE

 

[mhall]

Talk to these people:

http://www.cap.org.uk/Advice-Training-on-the-rules/Bespoke-Copy-Advice.aspx

They won't give legal advice but can tell you if your advert ticks the right boxes of the guidelines. If you do run into trouble, the fact that you have used CAP for advice will go in your favour.

 

[JEKP]

Thanks a lot Mhall !!!

It is very useful information and I will definitely use them for the reason you said!

Thank you so much again!

JE

 

[RubixEvolution]

Speak to LawStore as well, they might be able to give you an answer

www.thelaw-store.co.uk

 

[JEKP]

Thank you RubixEvolution!!! I will check that out too!

Cheers,
JE