The name of my business is “Elite Window Washing”. Based in San Diego CA.
So I was on Craigslist and came accross this ad, and notice the name of the company:
Window Cleaning Done EZ With ELITE SQUEEGEE (ALL SAN DIEGO)
I offer the highest quality window cleaning available anywhere. As the name implies “Elite Squeegee†Window Cleaning is dedicated to the service that you deserve. Webster defines elite as a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status. When you use my service you will never have to shop around for a window cleaner again. Please call for your window cleaning needs and you will see the difference that one man can make. I strive to “make a visible difference†in your home or place of business.
Every project includes:
*Professional Window Cleaning
*Detailed Window Screen Cleaning (Removal of Screens upon Request)
*Detailed Window Sill Cleaning
*Detailed Window Frame Cleaning
*Added Personal Touch
Optional services include cleaning of shower doors, mirrors, skylights, chandeliers, and indoor / outdoor lighting fixtures and replacement of bulbs.
All windows must be accessible!
Personal checks are welcome.
Now, this guy has been in business since 2007, mine since 2006- but my ficticious name statement was in 2007. I called this guy and asked him how he came up with his name and he told me that God gave it to him. He sounds alittle coo-coo to me. I really dont want people to confuse his thing with mine. He dont have a website yet.
I had the same problem. Another guy was using my business name in the same field. I called and told him I didn’t mind him cleaning windows for a living, but some of my customers called him looking for me, Stealing my cusomers with my name wasn’t acceptable. He said OK and continued the practice anyway. So I had my attorney send him a cease and desist letter informing that failure to do so would result in legal action. That did the trick.
You should probably copyright the word “elite”… then nobody could use it, except for you.
hahahahahaha
No really, I would do what Matt suggested if you feel that it may be confused with your business. The naming is close enough, and if he is operating in your service area you should be able to prevent him from using the name. You will probably need some form of proof that you had the name before him - business license, checking account, a date-stamped envelope, nothing major…
I would imagine just the letter from the lawyer will put a stop to it.
I have just copyrighted the phrase “window cleaning”, so even if he got “elite”, he’d still be up a creek. By the way all of you who have “window cleaning” in your name, you need to cease and desist, or contact my lawyer.
FYI: if i name my company Elite window cleaning or elite window washing service. you can’t do anything about it, unless i name my company the same as yours, then you can do something about it…
Tory I would talk to a lawyer about it. See what can be done, if anything. Ask your lawyer about the “anti-dilution” law and if it applies to you.
I believe a simple letter from the lawyer to the name-stealer will do the trick. If not, I believe a judge will rule in your favor. If the name-stealer is targeting or directly affecting your current clients, I would say you have even a stronger case. But, I’m not a lawyer.
BTW Tory… I think if the guy was posing a threat in that he was doing what is happening to Noble or if he didn’t have so many screws loose, I think it would be a bigger issue… but Micah I think has offered a really great way to knock this one out of the park.
