Would I get sued if I said....

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J

J Phipps TN

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jul 14, 2004
Posts
1,423
Loc
Kingsport TN
On my Marquee......

"We are the Ralph Lauren of Framing"

Or

"We are the Tommy Hilfiger of Framing"


I think it is a good way to get people to realize the difference. And why we cost so much more.

What do you think?:smiley:
 
J Phipps TN said:
On my Marquee......

"We are the Ralph Lauren of Framing"

Or

"We are the Tommy Hilfiger of Framing"


I think it is a good way to get people to realize the difference. And why we cost so much more.

What do you think?:smiley:
Click to expand...

Yeah, don't do that.

N.B.: Ralph Lauren is so protective of their trademarks that they sued Polo magazine, the magazine about the sport of polo, for using the Polo name when the magazine started including lifestyle articles.
 
Try using Ralph's real name -- Ralph Lifschitz. Yeah, he's from the Bronx. Nice Jewish boy from the Bronx telling everyone how to dress like a WASP!
 
Personally, I think you would put off as many people by that attitude as you might attract.

I would never go to a shop who compared themselves with those two companies. Someone who would be attracted by those names are the type who buy something with the name on it so they can show off to other people.


Also, the only thing expensive about their stuff is the price. It is still cheap stuff made in China or some other 3rd world sweatshop. You could go to JC Penneys and get the same quality with out the expensive name sewn in.:sleep:

Plus... yes you would quickly get a cease and desist letter.
 
Jennifer I think it's more important to have your own voice.
 
Jennifer,

I agree with Steph. Those two companies are fiercely protective of their branding, but who cares, toot your own horn. Try: Picture Framing crafted with "name of your shop's" high standards. Or something to that effect.

I have been known to run an idea past legal council in the past. never hurts to be sure.

Lori
 
How about:



Professional Design Consultation
Quality Craftsmanship
​
 
Jennifer, I agree that associating yourself with Tommy or Ralphy sends more of a negative connotation unless your shop is in Water Tower Place or the Caesar's Shops at Caesar's Palace.

I wouldn't make the association that you are intending if I was a consumer. I'd understand what you were trying to say, but would see $$$ signs instead of the association with outstanding design.
 
J Phipps TN said:
Are you serious Johnny or are you just messing with me?
Click to expand...

I'm joking with you. Several of us have said that including the Ralph Lauren name would be a very risky thing to do. I can appreciate your interest in getting this message across to your potential customers but you really need to find an alternative to including a famous label.
 
no no no! I mean that in the nicest way possible. Your OWN voice, you can do it.
 
It's a good idea to break out of the pack. By default most framers are "The Rodney Dangerfield of Framing" they don't get no respect.

If you're going for the top-drawer carriage trade you could always chose a name with a long dead legal dept, say "The Alexander the Great of Framers" but avoid "The Atilla the Hun of Framers."
 
I think if you are going to "talk the talk" you better "walk the walk"

Does your shop suggest "Ralph Lauren"? It's location? Your staff? Your appearance? Your ability?

I think the greater danger is not being sued for Copyright Violations but Deceptive Advertising
 
I do see the potential problem with using a famous persons name and I'm not going to do it.

But what I what to do is help my customers understand the Name Brands in the framing industry, And that there is a difference between moulding companies just like there is a difference in clothing brands.

Roma is a cut above, oh let's say Omega. and I want to convey that to my customers.
Name brands are important to some people, and it would be nice if the general public knew this.

What would be a good way for us to let them see that? on a Marquee? if possible, or in our ads?

Steph, I get what you are saying but that's not what I am going for here.
 
If you are going to compare moulding companies with each other in print, you better be able to back it up with hard evidence or you could get hit with a defamation suit. You can't go around making statments like that in writing or to the public at large without proof of what you say.

You can say, in your store, something like "in my opinion, I feel that Roma is the premier line on the market but if you want economy then try the Omega line." or some such statement.

How about a banner saying: "
Featuring Roma Mouldings. When only the best will do."
 
Jennifer: We were working on something similar but haven't used it yet -

Your shoes: Italian
Your car: German
Your frames: custom

or something like that - take it from there if you like.

Tony
 
Referring to Roma by name in your ads and signage is helping Roma to establish it's brand. You can't decide to have a brand, it can only be gifted to you by your customers. What Roma does impacts this, and also what you do as a dealer. Therefore, signage or advertising that says "Featuring Roma Mouldings" or "Mouldings by Larson Juhl - Custom Frame the Beauty of Your Home" makes the public aware of the brand potential and then they will decide if the product becomes a brand. Taking the straight route to saying "This is a brand" rarely if ever works.
 
I don't think customers give a hoot whether it's Roma, Nurre, Larson or any other. In twenty five years I have never had a customer walk up to the counter and say..." I'm here to buy a Roma frame." They just look at the wide selection on the wall and we choose the frame that is right for the piece. If it turns out to be Roma, so be it. They've come to realize that everything on the wall is quality.
 
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