Braking copyright law?? I hope not....

[bearman68]

Hi.
I have a small business that repairs electronic units predominantly from Renaults.
I do loads through ebay at the mo, and want to set up a website that I can use in the UK and Europe.
I would like to call it Renault Electronic Repair.com

Would this break the rules on using the Renault name?

Many Thanks

[Eric Mc]

It might. Car manufacturers can be very protective of other businesses using their names.

It's not a copyright issue though. It's a proprietorial issue regarding who has the right to use a brand name.

[jammy_basturd]

I've come across this twice.

Once when BMW bought Mini and started threatening to sue various websites and companies that were using the Mini name, trademarks (including outlines of the Mini) and copyrighted materials. I believe The Mini Shop in London had to close down due to BMW and there were a few various eBayers that had to stop their business too. It did seem a little hit and miss with who they were targeting though.

The second time was a few years ago when there was rumours of TVR being sold (by the Russian, not to him). I run a site called The TVR Site which is mainly full of information for Cerbera owners, however I use the TVR name in the URL and the TVR logo within the logo for the website. I got a threatening letter from solicitors stating I was trying to pass off as TVR. Nothing came of it.

Normally I'd say ask for forgiveness, not permission, but in this case that would mean starting a business and a website using a name that you're always in danger of needing to danger should the powers that be decide to come knocking. So in this instance I'd definitely advise either talking to a solicitor to find out what you can do without asking for permission, or just ask for permission anyway (though most big companies err on the side of caution with requests like these).

[ReallyReallyGood]

Aside from the legalities of it all, the name Renault Electronic Repair does sound like you are, or are affiliated with, Renault.

[ridds]

It certainly would.

Don't use their logo either.

Lots of UK companies have fallen foul of this. Namely a lot of Jaguar specialists.

[sunbeam alpine]

Why not go for fixyourfrog.com?

More memorable, and seems to be free.

[Vixpy1]

bearman68 said:

Hi.
I have a small business that repairs electronic units predominantly from Renaults.
I do loads through ebay at the mo, and want to set up a website that I can use in the UK and Europe.
I would like to call it Renault Electronic Repair.com

Would this break the rules on using the Renault name?

Many Thanks

Yep, their lawyers will be on you quicker than a razor to a french girl in my bed. Also always good to mention exactly what you do in a website address

Something like .. frenchecurepair.com

[Martin4x4]

Don't use their logo, except with permission.

Domain names themselves are not covered by copyright, but trademark law and it is entirely legal to use a trade mark in a domain name providing you are not attempting to pass off. Some companies do try to throw their weight around on this so it would be wise to use a domain name based on your Company name to establish bonafides or vice versa, create a company based on desired domain name.

See the following for more details

http://www.out-law.com/en/topics/tmt--sourcing/dom...

[bearman68]

Thanks all, most enlightening.
Web page will be Ren what we repair.com I think. Looks like search engine differences between Ren and Renault are very small, but I would think Ren is much 'safer'

[scorp]

Don't forget trademark owners are compelled to protect their trademark or face potentially losing it.

[Vixpy1]

bearman68 said:

Thanks all, most enlightening.
Web page will be Ren what we repair.com I think. Looks like search engine differences between Ren and Renault are very small, but I would think Ren is much 'safer'

That just makes you look illiterate , terrible idea imho

[Simpo Two]

Something else with 'Renault Specialists' after it.

[bearman68]

Mmm maybe to the 2 previous posts.

Any other ideas for something sharp that the search engines would pick up?

[mikef]

electronics4renaults.co.uk