Hi, I am writing a hard copy book. It's a book about ebay. Its not a book to slander ebay. It's a book to help people use ebay.
I have a few questions.
Can I put "EBAY" in the title or description of my book, without getting in trouble or sued? If so, how can I go about doing it?
I see others all around the internet using ebay in their ebook title or what not..They put things like-- Make money with Ebay(R)
What does this (R) do? Do I have to ask ebay for one, or can I jusy put the (R) in the title? Do I even need the (R)?
I just dont want to name something that I might get in trouble for, or get sued over.
Any knowledge on this would be much appreciated.
Thank you
2007-10-17 09:26:05 · 7 answers · asked by sawkilla1 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Copyright is not an issue -- unless you plan to include screen shots of actual eBay web pages -- in which case you need to ask their permission to use the screen shots.
The ® stands for registered trademark -- and trademark law is the issue in using the name "eBay" in your title or description.
To be safe, do not call your book the "official" anything -- and make sure that you include, on the back cover and the inside title page -- the fact that "eBay and the eBay logo are registered trademarks of (the corporation -- check their legal page for details) and are used without permission" -- unless you ask them for permission, which you can also do.
Trademark protection is to be sure that you are not claiming to be them -- so, be sure that everything you say makes it clear that you are not pretending to be eBay. And to do that, you need to acknowledge the the term "eBay" is a registered trademark of someone else. That's what the ® is for.
2007-10-17 10:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
(R) means "registered" as eBay is a registered trademark. In writing, you should always use the (R) symbol when referring to a trademark.
You can get the proper symbol on your computer by typing alt+0174 -- it will look like ® and should be formatted as superscript in your document.
You can use eBay® in your title if the book is about eBay - like 'How to Make Money on eBay®' as long as you don't try to represent that you are affiliated with them in some way or that they approve of your book if that's not so.
2007-10-17 09:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by CoachT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is certainly not copyright infringement. The question is whether it will violate or damage their trademark. As a GENERAL rule "how to use (R) " type publications do not harm trade or service marks. However without knowing more about the content of your book or how you will use their mark no one here can give you a good answer. Your best bets are to (a) consult an intellectual property attorney or (b) ask E-Bay -- in writing -- for permission.
2007-10-17 09:39:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as it is obvious you are writing about eBay and not implying that you are part of eBay or that eBay is endorsing your book you should be okay. You should acknowledge their trademark in the beginning of your book. A lawyer can help you create the best wording.
2007-10-17 09:35:24 · answer #4 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
EBay is registered for trade mark purposes. Hmm that is a good one, see your using a well known name to make money off of their name. People would buy your book due to Ebay being mention. I am pretty sure you going to have to contact them due to that reason. It would not hurt to ask if anything.
2007-10-17 09:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by krennao 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The (R) means the name eBay is registered as a trademark.
2007-10-17 09:29:29 · answer #6 · answered by Chris N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think u should
2007-10-17 09:29:37 · answer #7 · answered by yashar a 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋