Actor Bill Cosby sent a “cease and desist” letter to a businessman who had an online company called Cosby Sweaters. (The company name has since been changed.) The owner reportedly tweeted that he couldn’t believe his childhood hero was suing him. I can.
Obviously Cosby cannot claim ownership of every crazy patterned sweater into perpetuity, but he certainly has a right to protect how his name is used.
Brand vigilance is critical.
I was advising a very new business owner the other day about making sure that she puts the right framework in place to protect her intellectual property. While I was talking about legal frameworks, she kept talking about how she has a solid brand. By which she was really referring to the fact that she had trademarked her brand name and held a copyright on her core materials. All of which, by the way, is good–but not good enough.
There’s a difference between having a strong brand and protecting your business. Just ask Microsoft about fake software. Or kate spade about knockoff handbags.
What do you do to protect your brand?
Photo by pasukaru76 (Flickr).
Have you grabbed a free copy of Your Social Media Checklist? Download it today to get 9 tips for being findable and attracting the right customers for your business.
{ 2 comments }
Ah … the personal brand.
A man shoots his girlfriend multiple times. He doesn’t immediately call an ambulance or the police, and he later claims it was accident. Oh, and there are allegations of previous domestic abuse.
The brand is 
Maybe you’ve noticed that all the major social platforms are adopting “banner” photos. But what makes a good banner photo?
