Never say NASA or Amazon, say people at NASA and Amazon (it’s merely a citation of a place, like a Mall). Hold the evidences in case you are questioned.
Thanks @Rick_Araujo for this insight in US trademark law!
As far as I know, European Community law does not allow comparative use of trademarks in adverts (ref. Rick’s Starbuck’s coffee example would not work this way here).
What about geographic use? Places. “I have a friend working at NASA”, Someone at NASA bought my product.
One could use this almost everywhere under EC law, except in advertising. EC has an extensive set of rules governing markets and how companies can act in markets.
If NASA would have given its consent to an advertiser, they could use this reference in commercial advertising. Companies often contract sports or movie celebrities for advertisement campaigns.
Audi advertising their car as ‘more fuel efficient than a Mercedes car’ would not be allowed, even if factually true.
Interestingly, on several occaisions I had Google Ads removed because my ad said
‘XYZ’ software for Mac and Windows
Shut down because of use of the word ‘Mac’
I complained that if I was selling parts that only fit a Fender guitar, or a Ford car they definitely allowed that, and several other similar cases. But either I wasn’t spending enough, or Apple were REALLY litigating…
or
@Jeff_Tullin You just need to submit an authorization request through AdWords. Contact their support to walk you through the process.
Your case seems just Google prevention as Apple is aggressive.
UK is outside of EC.
Sadly
(dont need a discussion about Brexit tho… everyone has an opinion, thats fine… ![]()
)
That’s an insane level of lack of freedom. I hope you are misunderstanding something about EU rules or they are going to be the next Soviet Union at least at the bureaucracy level ![]()
The use of image (celebrities) is another chapter, it’s not about trademarks. The comparative feature is ok, but not allowing to say publicly “Someone at McDonalds bought an ice cream” is insane.
Matter of perspective ![]()
Friends will be friends ![]()
And that drives prices to the best levels the consumers could get.
Huh, we are getting heavily off topic. I need to see additional factual information about products, not just price. Value/cost ratio drives my choice, not price only.
Agreed.
Getting off topic, I guess, but generally speaking companies the likes of those in the graphic above will have language buried in their absurdly long purchasing agreements referenced by their purchase orders that will specifically disallow any use of their trademarks for promoting your own business without specific permission. Always best to get permission in writing, me thinks. No matter who is right or wrong, the winner will generally be the one who can afford to drag it out in court longer than the other.
This is how I know it.
They still did it when we were in the EU, price comparison advertising is not a new phenomenon.
