I am the Atlantic Regional Director for a very small non-profit dealing with car seat safety. Our organization is of course purely volunteer based; with basically 3 people involved part-time. Our organization name is one letter off (we have an s on the end) from another company that deals with child safety, including car seats; but they are for profit.

I recently received a threatening letter from the other companies attorney demanding that we remove our website and stop all events that we may be planning where our name is associated because they feel that people could be confusing the two companies and this violates the copyright. Since I am just a volunteer, I'm afraid that if I continue to hold events and have my name on the website, that I could legally be held accountable. Our CEO has answsered the letter, but I don't believe we have any legal representation at this point.

Any ideas? Can I personally be held accountable?

I'd appreciate any advice.

Can I personally be held accountable?Hello Sherri:

You cannot be held liable for what the company you work for does, whether it be a non profit entity, or whether you get paid. Unless, however, you are an officer of this entity and it's NOT a corporation.

excon

It seems unlikely that you will have any personal liability here. However, it could get nasty for your non-profit - if this isn't amicably resolved your organization could be facing a lawsuit.

I would suggest that your group think carefully about how to respond. If you're only 1 letter off the name of the pre-existing organization, and you are involved in similar areas, I suspect your group is on weak ground. I suggest that your CEO contact a lawyer sooner rather than later.

If you are a member of their board of directors you may be able to be held personally liable.

But with that said, can they name you on a law suit and could you have to hire an attorney to prove you are not liable, of course, since they can, as I do, name everyone and their brother, anytime I sue someone