Duplicate Ranch/Breeding Names

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

Lately I've noticed a lot of duplicate breeding names, like Rainbow Chinchillas for example, there's two with the same spelling, and one with a different spelling (one is on the east coast I believe, and two are here in oregon). (Sorry guys, it's the first duplicate name that popped into my head).

What should be done about duplicates? Do you think people should research a name before using it? I find it makes it harder to determine who actually bred the animal, making for more confusion, possibly agry/hurt feelings.

I was going to change my breeder name at one time researched it, started working on changing it, and then received an e-mail from someone who was already using it (I had never found anything online or by word of mouth about the name being in use). I decided to not switch names. After that, I decided to just stick with the one I have.

[cherubchins]

I chenged my breeder name. It used to be "Cherub Chinchillas". But I kept finding similar names out there. So I changed it to "Exceptional Exotics" since I want to breed suggies one day:)

[chinchilla_boy]

Did you ever consider trademarking your business name? I'm not sure if chinnie breeders bother with business id #'s and trademarks, but I most definitely would, especially if you plan on being in business for a long time. God forbid you have been in business forever and you are now forced to change your name that everyone has come to know because some newcomer likes your name and says "Oh, what a great name. Is it trademarked? No? Great!! I think I'll trademark it so no one else can use it!". Now the 20 yr. breeder has to legally find a new biz name or he/she can get sued. Once trademarked, no one can use your business name or a similar name in the same type of business you are running. Lawyers who work for the government would decide if someone else who wants to use your exact business name or similar business name is allowed to or not. Its rare that they can. The only time they can use your biz name is if their biz is different enough from yours as to avoid confusion amongst the public. I think its $300 for a trademarked name and $600 if you also want to trademark a logo along with the name. If someone stole your name, then what I would do is see if they got it trademarked or if its pending to be trademarked, and if not, go trademark it yourself and then tell the people who stole your name to go take a hike. They now can't legally use it! NeighbrGrlsPets, if they don't got their own breeder name registered with the government, then they shouldn't be able to take any legal recourse against you. Just ignore their emails, hehe. All business owners need to protect themselves from copycats.

As a side note, it may be beneficial for you to register your breeding operation as a business, if its not already. The government does give a lot of breaks and perks to small business owners because they play a big part in keeping the economy pumping, but I would recommend discussing all the pros and cons with your personal accountant and see what they say. Gee, I hope this helps. :)

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

Makes LOTS of sense chinchilla boy. I've checked into trademarking something, and I got confused about the masses of fees, and how much it would actually cost. Do you have any links or anything?

While I'm not a Rainbow Chinchilla, lol. I haven't noticed any other person using my breeding name. But of course want to protect it.

[chinchilla_boy]

Makes LOTS of sense chinchilla boy. I've checked into trademarking something, and I got confused about the masses of fees, and how much it would actually cost. Do you have any links or anything?

While I'm not a Rainbow Chinchilla, lol. I haven't noticed any other person using my breeding name. But of course want to protect it.

I can try to find some links for you and hopefully find out if your business name is pending by someone else. Not now though, its 1AM on the east coast and I got a music post to work on that will take some time. I want to come up with my fav songs of all time to share with the rest of the music lovers on the forum. Geez! I'll try to find stuff later in the morning while drinking my hazelnut coffee, hehe. If you want to check out links yourself right now, then government websites should be the best ones since the gov controls trademarks. :)

[WKYChinLovers]

I have researched trademarking our ranch name to protect us from getting sued by someone in the future, There is a non-refundable fee to get a trademark filed I think it was around $330 but please don't quote me on that, and there is also a service mark which is what allows you to use a logo on items you sell and that will cost just as much as your trademark. So if you make anything and want to put your name on it or a drawing you must register for a service mark.
This is one reason we haven't filed for a trademark yet due to it costing so much.

This link is the goverment link where you can find out all your information and even search trademark names.
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

We have also noticed duplicate names and we haven't come up with a name just yet, we are still tossing names around.
My husband wants to call it A to Z Pets or Angelia's Zoo, I thought about Exotic Pet Paradise but I think that is already used so it has been tossed.

[chinchilla_boy]

I have researched trademarking our ranch name to protect us from getting sued by someone in the future, There is a non-refundable fee to get a trademark filed I think it was around $330 but please don't quote me on that, and there is also a service mark which is what allows you to use a logo on items you sell and that will cost just as much as your trademark. So if you make anything and want to put your name on it or a drawing you must register for a service mark.
This is one reason we haven't filed for a trademark yet due to it costing so much.

This link is the goverment link where you can find out all your information and even search trademark names.
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

We have also noticed duplicate names and we haven't come up with a name just yet, we are still tossing names around.
My husband wants to call it A to Z Pets or Angelia's Zoo, I thought about Exotic Pet Paradise but I think that is already used so it has been tossed.

Thanks WKYChinLovers for the link. NeighbrGrlsPets, that's the link you want and is the one I would have found for you anyways later this morning. That $330 fee does sound accurate. I was quoted $300 a couple of years ago when I asked about the fee. Ya gotta love teamwork, haha :)

[WKYChinLovers]

You are welcome chinchilla boy! :) I didn't realize you posted right before I did. I believe the trademark/service mark has gone up a tad bit. On our other computer I have another site saved at the moment I can't think of the website, I wonder why? It is only 1 AM in the morning!

[tunes]

If you're a member of MCBA it shouldn't matter what your breeder name is, your ranch brand is all you need so that people will know it's you. No other member can have your brand. Each brand is paid for by that individual or ranch, like Ritterspach's is 5R9 if I'm not mistaken, JAGS is JAGS, etc.

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

Yeah, I'm an MCBA member...

I'll look into trademarking though :)

Thanks everyone!