OT: Question for the lawyers out there

Peter_Spaeth · #1 07-05-2024, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

My Patent Attorney once advised me: �Patents and Trademarks are a costly license to sue.� So do you really want to go down that path given your time and money available, especially when Japanese language translation costs would be a factor and HUGE cost from your attorney? Or focus your capital and time on furthering your business, etc.?

As a real world example, I enforced my startup�s vendor contract 5+ years ago with a US based product testing agency and it cost well over $2K.

2K in legal fees for most engagements is a pittance.

Snapolit1 · #2 07-05-2024, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

2K in legal fees for most engagements is a pittance.

Yeah, unless you are McDonalds and are going after McDavids, selling hamburgers with some kind of yellow arch like thing, I'd probably ignore them. No offense, but likely this Japanese company has never heard of your business.

If you have a lawyer friend dash off a form cease and desist letter to them might be worth a stab at shutting them up. Beyond that will get very costly quickly. Particularly with the non US element as others have pointed out.

Snapolit1 · #3 07-05-2024, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

2K in legal fees for most engagements is a pittance.

Peter charges more than that for a handshake in the lobby.

Peter_Spaeth · #4 07-05-2024, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Peter charges more than that for a handshake in the lobby.

It takes time to get down to the lobby. I imagine 2K would not even have paid for a handshake at Skadden.

FrankWakefield · #5 07-05-2024, 10:55 PM

I think what greendodger and Leon said are sagacious... Sounds like you did not trademark the name, so I think you don't chase that.

If you don't leave it alone, then a somewhat friendly letter (although it probably won't sound friendly after it's translated) might establish what kind of cards you were dealing with in your business (I think I've gotten one of your business cards a few times over the years), and that so long as their business is in that new stuff, there should be no problem. But I don't think that'll be an inexpensive letter for you.

Now about those $2k handshakes... y'all are thinking pre-Covid. Get with the times, take 4 or 5 large with you.

DennyH · #6 06-26-2025, 02:40 PM

The discussion about business name rights seems very relevant to me. In situations like this, it’s essential to consult lawyers who understand commercial law. I found a very useful guide about business litigation and protecting a company’s name on this site.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any business lawyers here	Pup6913	WaterCooler Talk- Off Topics	0	06-04-2012 04:04 PM
some advice please, lawyers please chime in.	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	4	02-13-2009 12:55 PM
eBay auction question/Any lawyers w/advice?	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	27	10-24-2008 06:34 AM
Any lawyers here?	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	8	05-20-2005 02:20 PM
Lawyers	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	0	07-17-2003 07:55 AM