You’ve worked tirelessly for years to establish your company and brand. The corporate world can be ruthless but you’ve always tried to compete fairly with rival companies.
Unfortunately, this has not been reciprocated and your rivals are resorting to unfair tactics. If the following scenarios apply to you, then you could have grounds to bring a civil case against your competitors.
Defamatory statements
Online reviews play a pivotal role in the success of most companies. An online search is often the basis on which customers choose where to take their business.
Imagine this: You have glowing reviews and your rival has become envious. They’ve set up some online accounts and started leaving fake reviews that show your company in a negative light. All of the statements that have been made by your competitor are unsubstantiated and damaging to your reputation.
In other words, the reviews are defamatory in nature and this is something that you can bring a civil claim for. The courts can force your rival to remove the statements, make a public apology and even pay financial damages to you.
Trademark infringement
Your business is trusted and recognizable because of the logos and branding that you’ve created. Your intellectual property is unique and protected by law. Unfortunately, a competitor has decided to imitate the branding that is at the center of your success.
They have started using the same slogans, logo style and color schemes that make your company stand out from the rest. This is a potential trademark infringement and it is actionable in the civil courts.
In an ideal world, your business would operate on an even playing field. Sadly, not all firms are willing to play by the rules. Seeking legal guidance on civil issues will help ensure that your business remains protected.
