A Unique Business Card, But Is It Safe?

Photo: Jeff McNeill

This is an interesting business card. I suspect it was created with three objections:

1. Promote the website.

2. Stress a few key points (i.e., family ownership, long tenure, and Internet orders).

3. Emphasize that it's a Dallas company.

The card has a few drawbacks:

1. No logo.

2. No address.

3. Stating "Family Owned for 20 Years" dates it.

4. Possible trademark infringement.

Possibly the logo could be added on the right. It wouldn't reflect Google search results, but neither does a Google search with only one listing. Similarly, an address line could be added under the contact line.

I suppose a printer isn't very concerned about reprinting business cards. Still, I seem to find myself handing out cards printed three or four years ago. I don't know where they come from. I think I've gotten rid of them, but there they are and the new ones are nowhere in sight. It's better to change the line to "Family Owned Since 1989."

The trademark infringement is stickier. While Google shouldn't care much what a local printer does on a business card as long as it's not obscene or defamatory, the company employs lawyers. Lawyers can always make a mess out of things and big company lawyers get very snippy about company's marks. Check out the following from their website:

Don’t copy or imitate Google's trade dress, including the look and feel of Google web design properties or Google brand packaging, distinctive color combinations, typography, graphic designs, product icons, or imagery associated with Google.

Google does have an approval process for people who want to use its marks. Maybe the printer has gone through it. I would hope a printer would know enough to do that.

Absent permission, the safe approach is to add some lawyer language...

GOOGLE is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. We are not a partner, affiliate, or licensee of Google Inc., nor is our company in any other way formally associated with Google Inc.

Of course, that's sort of distracting. Since Google's had its own issues with trademark attorneys, they might be forgiving about others.

Personally, I'd seek permission. With permission and the other changes, I think this could be a clever card. Possibly, print a standard card on one side and this on the other.