The rules on using names of companies?

Hello,

What are the rules of using names of existing companies on your website?

For example. Using the name "Boeing" or "Piper" or "Airbus".

Thanks,

Using how?

Well what i was thinking was that users of the website could buy virtual aeroplanes like a Airbus A380 or Boeing 740 etc. I wouldnt be creating a product using called boeing or anything. It would be exchanging website credits for virtual areoplanes etc. Using real names.

Are you allowed to do this?

I don't think you should use those name as all seems are trade mark of individual company. Better to create your own.

Unless you're defaming Boeing and Airbus by saying unwarranted, negative comments about them (it's not so good to say something along the lines of "Boeing employees molest children" but "Boeing airplanes are not comfortable" would be okay) you should be fine.

If you're referencing the trademarked airplane, then you're better off doing so while making it clear to your website visitors that "Boeing 740 is a registered trademark of The Boeing Company" and so on.

The other key thing is money. Are you making actual money off this? If it's virtual money for virtual airplanes, go for it. If you're making real money - even through ads - then I'd suggest not doing so. I don't think Boeing and Airbus would be too pleased that someone is using their names to make money.

If you are making money off it, then you may want to look into commerical licensing.

So, if i said something like -

Airbus© A380© *

* Airbus A380 is a registered trademark of the Airbus company

Or would i use the TM logo? would that be ok to use the name if you did that? I probably would have adverts on the website.

Well, it definitely wouldn't be a copyright. My guess is it would be a registered trademark, which is ®. The ™ is used when the trademark has not been registered with a government agency, and I doubt Airbus and Boeing would forgo such registration. However, I'm not sure if Boeing has "747" as a registered trademark, or if its "Boeing 747" as the entire trademark name (more likely).

The disclaimer you add at the bottom of the page would have to include the actual, full company name that owns the trademark. For example, it's not "the Airbus company", it's "Airbus S.A.S." However, Boeing is "The Boeing Company". But I don't know if Airbus S.A.S. owns the trademarks to their aircraft names, or if their parent company "European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company" does. That's something you'd have to check into.

In my opinion, you should hold back from using actual company names since you're going to have ads on the website. Airbus and Boeing would not like it if you're using their product names on your website (and their hard work too) and then collecting money. You should reconsider using their trademarks. If you want to make money, you'll probably have to contact Airbus and Boeing to inquire about commercial licensing (and have lots of money at your disposal).

Also note, I'm not a lawyer. This is just my advice to you and should not be misconstrued as actual legal advice. If you want actual legal advice, you should contact a lawyer that specializes in intellectual property.

Well, i think i will just make up my own names that sound kind of similar to those companies. Like Aerobus. I have already found non copyrighted images of aircraft that i am thinking of using. So i would have the name of the aircraft with the real image beside it.

like this -

|-------------------------------------------
| Name of Aircraft | Image
|-------------------------------------------
| Aerobus A360 | Image Here
---------------------------------------------

Thanks for the helpful advice,

PS - i meant to say Thanks on your reputation.

Trademark names and logos companies take very seriously. Most have licensing departments you can work with to get the rights to use these for limited use (with the disclaimer). If you can't get that done I'd stay very far away from a company that makes jet airliners, as I presume they have a few quality attorneys on call.

Adding a letter to the name, especially if accompanied by a photo of the real thing, is not safe either. That can easily become counterfeiting though I can't see it really applying here (you obviously aren't counterfeiting actual aircraft in your garage).

Don't forget the aircraft model names are trademarks, too. So, too, can color schemes, font types, etc.

<disclaimer>
For actual professional legal advice seek an attorney.
</disclaimer>

O

So if i made a completely different company name like Inspire 1000 then had an image of the real-life plane. The image does say that it is not copyrighted and can be used for anything. If i also had a disclaimer saying. "This image is not an "Inspire 1000" and it is in no way related to this item" or similar.

Can you guys suggest an alternative method?

Thanks,

I would suggest you simply make up your own names, find images without copyright and use those. I do not mean find images on websites where they stole the image, find the source and get permission if their is a copyright and if their isn't your fine using it.

Better to stay away from large commercial companies, trust me they will sue you for anything if they get the chance, especially airlines since the business is dying.

I have a family member, and he is a major attorney that works for quite a large company.... He told me that his CEO requested he sued a golf company for having a arrow point that his company created on one of their new golf bags. (If that last sentence doesn't make sense sorry, I couldn't really how I should phrase it)


ANYWAYS, just stay away from large corporations they will snap at you for the smallest of things.

You can use any of those names you like, just as long as you follow Trademark Fair Usage guidelines (i.e. identify it as a trademarked/copywritten phrase and/or name.

Why go through all this trouble with so much doubt and concern abt the consequences that you may get by using other peoples brand names ? Just come up with your own to be on the safe side