Do the two logos look similar to you? They do, according to the trademark attorneys of Re/Max, a national real estate franchise. They're challenging the trademark application of a real estate startup Rehava, which has a new commission structure that is different than the established culture:
Adam Scoville, Re/Max's legal counsel, said he can explain.
First of all, both names start with "r" and have logos with accent lines near the letter "e," he said.
"It goes beyond that," Scoville added. "If you chop the top off of the 'h,' you (almost) have the 'm' in Re/Max. The next letter is an 'a,' and if you take the 'v' then you have half of an 'x.' "
Steve deGuzman, Rehava's broker-in-charge, said he doesn't buy it. He said the trademark challenge is harassment and a form of corporate bullying that will cost his firm thousands of dollars.
"It's a huge distraction, particularly for a startup and also in this kind of a market," deGuzman said.
He suspects the Colorado-based franchise is challenging the trademarkbecause of Rehava's controversial commission rebates, which some in the industry see as a threat to traditional compensation standards.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/mar/07/its_big_guy_vs_little_guy74198/ - via reddit
I do agree with Rehava's suggestion that it's just harassment.
I typically don't bash the competition, but this is typical Re/Max horse hockey! They are so full of hot air, it's no wonder they have a balloon as their logo.
Ha!! If I'm the judge I stop them right there, "Case closed!!!"
Remax could put it another way: Our argument is that people are laughably stupid and can't read or see colors. For their premise to work, that's what they'd have to essentially mean.
Think that's petty and lame?
Look what I did to Circuit City!
;)
"First of all, both names start with 'r'..."
The quality of the arguments pretty much goes downhill from there. I'm surprised they didn't include in their explanation something like "Well, if you down 3 shots of tequila, spin yourself dizzy and cross your eyes, you'll see the similarity..."
...who is the looser now?!
So what your saying is if you change their logo it makes it look like your logo.. yah, if I take all the letters and change them to other letters like magic it says something different. WOW, just wow.
Please allow me to encourage ALL to focus on the true business at hand. We should be consulting with buyers and sellers. Find ways to help those sellers out there who are hurting and scared. For many homeowners, right now there is panic,stress,and chaos on every hand. Use your money and time to do good and to do something that will have a positive impact on others.
Show the public that we are a classy group of professionals vs. REALTORS Gone Wild!