Identical business names in other states

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Driven Auto Detail

New member
Thanks to "Google Alerts" I've discovered that another "Driven Auto Detail" has popped up. Even though I am in Indiana and this other business is in Oregon, Google-ing the business name creates some confusion. One of the problems I'm finding is the other business is posting coupons on other sites than his own. I've never offered coupons so I'm worried about it creating even more confusion.



Never having this problem before, I'm not sure if it's something I should be concerned about or not. I've worked hard to build my business's name so part of me wonders if this person has intentionally used the same name to "ride the coattails" of the name. I also fear that it could possibly lower the reputation of the name if he is some sort of fly-by-night hack. Just doing a Google search of my business name shows HIS facebook link about halfway down the first page.



Does anyone know if there are any laws in place so situations like this don't occur? I may be over reacting since this guy is in Oregon and I'm in Indiana, but it still doesn't sit well with me.



Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
Did you by any chance copyright your business name... I think that when you register your business name, it is only with your state. There are ways to protect your business name, but Im not sure exactly what you would need to do. Call a lawyer, they usually will tell you over the phone.
 
Tell me about it. Some jerk in California (same one stealing Jose's pictures) has the same business name as me minus the "auto" and his website is scottswax and mine is scottwax. Then he sold 4000 discount details through groupon, living social and tippr and isn't honoring them.
 
Someone decided they wanted to use Lavish Auto Detailing as their name, so I hear you and understand the concern. It certainly helps to have a more unique sounding name, but then again you can't stop idiots from being idiots. The incident with Scottwax is pretty shocking I think.
 
That's why I just use my own name, "C. Charles Hahn, Automotive Appearance Specialist." Sure, there are other "Automotive Appearance Specialists" out there, but I'm the only one I know of named C. Charles Hahn.... and nobody is going to steal that.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.



Scott - Since your situation is obviously someone trying to make a buck off your name/reputation, have you been able to do anything about it ?
 
Hard to do anything since he isn't in Texas, my worry is that he will hurt the name "Scottwax" online. At least he is apparently out of business (according to a post on his yelp review) so maybe it will all die down now.



When my brother started his computer business, he trademarked "My Computer Guy".
 
Heh... Scott, when I just looked on his site it says he doesn't have any appointments available, and he had this posted most recently on the scheduling app he was using:



Thank you for purchasing from Scott's Mobile Detailing... We apologize if it takes us some time to get back to you. We only hoped for a few hundred sales, not a few thousand.

As a result of this promotions success, we ASK and BEG of you to be patient and understanding with the amount of time that you must possibly wait to have us come out.

We are determined to provide all of our customers the best possible service. And since we want and NEED your continued business to make all this worth while, we must provide each of you with a GREAT Auto Detail, not a quick sloppy job....Those of you that are not happy waiting 2 months for a Car Detail, I am so sorry. But PLEASE REMEMBER... In 2 months your car will need a wash - wax detail too, So Keep your Coupon, dont cancel. The $44.00 Complete Automotive Detail doesn't come around too often.



Please allow 2 hours for our service. And please email us if you need to cancel.
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This guy is like looking at a master-class called "How not to run a business 101" :lol:



I don't think you've got anything to worry about with this guy ruining the "scottwax" name online -- you've spent way too many years establishing a reputation on forums/etc. and in the industry as a whole for some wannabe clown to destroy it in a matter of months.
 
I wouldn't worry about it unless the guy is in your metro. I would figure more clientele are searching "Indiana Detailing" not "Drivin auto detail" Further more...lets bank on people having a little common sense and they'll see your base out of indiana and if they're on his site trying to contact you...here's yer sign
 
tssdetailing said:
I wouldn't worry about it unless the guy is in your metro. I would figure more clientele are searching "Indiana Detailing" not "Drivin auto detail"
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The majority of our search engine result are from people googling "autolavish" or "auto lavish." While we are getting traffic from "autolavish michigan" I feel our semi-unique name has certainly helped.
 
MarcHarris said:
The majority of our search engine result are from people googling "autolavish" or "auto lavish." While we are getting traffic from "autolavish michigan" I feel our semi-unique name has certainly helped.
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The only other Eco Auto has a "Salon" on the end of it; combined with them being a waterless (I think) model in another state so thankfully I'm not too worried. But using something more unique like Lavish would've helped keep me out of trouble. :)
 
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