Many copycats are incorporating a popular word that was made famous from the original brand owner into their own brand. More and more of these people are using this tactic in order to increase their popularity, recognition and prestige. Copycats are using the word “Wiki” and “Tube” which was made famous by Wikipedia and YouTube in their brand name in order to obtain a powerful marketing effect. They are also (in a way) trying to affiliate with the original brand owner.
The reason why these copycats are using a part of a popular brand name in their own brand is to have a better marketing effect (popular and famous words are more recognizable). Many of the brands that end with the word “Tube” are pretty famous now (don’t feel like listing those names) thanks to the success of “YouTube”. Many copycats that are using the word “Wiki” (also not including their names) in their brand name do so in order to increase the brand’s name popularity and marketing effect.
*Warning*
You should be careful if a part of your brand name is being exploited by others. These copycats might be tarnishing your brand name in the process which can hurt your reputation. There will be people who will try to affiliate with your brand by using a part of your brand name in order to maximize profit or to scam people. Write a disclosure or hire a lawyer in order to protect your interest.
As more companies are successful, more copycats will use a part of their famous brand name to become recognizable as well. Incorporating a part of a famous brand name is a great way to be known faster (but bad for original brand owners). More and more copycats are incorporating a part of a known brand name into their own brand to have a powerful marketing effect.
8 Comments
as people say, it is when you get copied you know you are successful
the CopyCat brand name however has one big disadvantage - it would be very difficult to register as a trademark
I had recently a situation myself where a large corporation tried to block one of our trademarks from getting registered because they thought we were trying to exploit similarity with their trade mark and brand name. it was not even close and if there was any similarity it was pure coincidence. but it still did cost quite a bit of money and time to prove our case and resolve the problem …
Excellent content and I walked away with a bit more knowledge. Thank you for the share!
Biz- I see, must be hard to register a trademark nowadays because all the good ones are already taken unless you make a completely new word as your brand name.
Frank- No Problem! Glad you liked it =).
That’s why I choose miijoo as my brand.Pretty hard to copy heh..
Well, after reading this, I think a strong brand equity should include ‘having a brand name being copied by others’..
One should think of an original name for it will be hard to apply if you and your competitor do have the same name and it will be confusing to the customers. Though the good ones are already taken, we should be creative enough to think of a better name.
I like your kitty David.
I’ve never known what the hell a Wiki was anyway.
What do you think about the ‘John Cow’ thing?
Ahmad- It is a really good and unique name.
Zedd- That’s awfully true!
Rhei- Oh definitely!
Karen- Thank you! John Cow is more like a parody thing. But is trying to become a copycat in its unique way (which is good, it makes them a little unique). However, it is just a matter of time before they start blasting us with what they ate last night.