Forced to Change Name...Can I Keep Telling People What the Name Used to Be?

[jeremynyc2]

We just got a letter informing us that we have to change the name of an event we are running. I checked, and their claim is legit.

Can I put something on my website that says, in essence "XYZ used to be called ABC. LMNOP informed us that they own the rights to XYZ, so we are now calling our event ABC."?

 

[jeremynyc2]

Oh, and presumably we will have to change the URL of the page on which we have information about this event, but am I allowed to keep the old URL and have it forward to the new one?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

I don't know if it is or isn't legit. Let's assume it is. If you change the name of the event to something new and state "because they told us we have to" it doesn't change whether or not the other company has rights to sue, which it still may not be worthwhile. But if they are a big company and this will anger them, who knows what they will do. If you do things in a polite manner, you probably won't run afoul.

Regarding forwarding the URL, it's a bit of the same issue of taking advantage of the prior advertising - I am assuming the link is the same, e.g. NFL-Dallas-Cowboys-Official-Team-Party or something like that which makes it sound like the NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys, are actually taking a role in the event.

As they know about you, if you're complying and they don't say anything, chances are they will forget and it's done. But regardless, if they wanted to sue, your changing it doesn't force them to drop the suit. It reduces potential damages and provides much less incentive to sue since the effort isn't worth the investment.