Seth Godin wrote a blog post today about the way EMI, Inc., has bullied me, and other entrepreneurs.
You see, somehow, Entrepreneur Inc. got the trademark for the word "entrepreneur" years ago and since then, they've been going after little guys, like me, and threatening to "take action".
My podcast, "The Front Row Entrepreneur", it seems, was infringing on their trademark. You know, much like how a speck of dust infringes on a mountain.
This has actually been going on for quite some time, but I haven't talked about it because...lawyers.
And also, it's just been exhausting, demoralizing, and oh so frustrating.
I agreed to their demands...
I changed all the links (sooo many links)...
I changed the name of my podcast...
I changed all the graphics everywhere...
And then, yesterday, I got an email from their lawyers telling me they found a few more things on my website that still had "entrepreneur".
One of the things was literally a blog post "What is a Front Row Entrepreneur?".
Since Seth Godin was on my podcast recently, and he knew about this situation, I forwarded him the email and said "I just wanted you to see how far they go."
He asked if he could write about it.
Um. What?
Really?
YES, PLEASE!
Who better to call them out than the godfather of marketing and entrepreneurship himself?
OH YEAH! YOU GO, SETH!
Not even an hour later, he had finished his article and now you can read it here.
I would really love it if you would share the article far and wide. I'm done being scared.
Because it really is time for this bully of a company to stop what it's doing to the hardworking entrepreneurs of the world who they claim to support.
If you tweet it, be sure to tag @Entrepreneur and also @ThisIsSethsblog and ofcourse me, @jenrgy.
Thanks.
In support of my friend @jenrgy I am going to change my Twitter name to include the word Entrepreneur. Sue me @entrepreneur, I stand up to your bullying. Thanks to @ThisIsSethsBlog for spreading the word on their tactic to harass good people.
— Entrepreneur Dinesh Agarwal (@dinwal) March 30, 2019
Stop bullying the entrepreneurs https://t.co/gDAtKzdxS6 I won't be buying @Entrepreneur again. I will support @jenrgy who provides tons of support, encouragement & useful information to ENTREPRENEURS! Go ahead & sue me, too! (thanks, @thisissethsblog for calling the bullies out)
— Nikki Tate (@WriterGrrrl) March 29, 2019
@Entrepreneur is bullying its own community + ruining its brand. Claiming to own the word, #entrepreneur by trying to shut down legit #entrepreneurs truly helping others. Bad law, bad marketing + bad branding. Pls read article + support truly helpful entrepreneurs. @jenrgy rocks! https://t.co/uu0qOlDWQy
— Jenny Lens (@jennylens) March 29, 2019
https://t.co/lZ7u8J89CV Ok @Entrepreneur what’s the deal? You say you want to support those of us trying to make our way in the business world and yet you are bullying us? Not good business or relationship building at all! @ThisIsSethsBlog @jenrgy
— donna_reina (@donna_reina) March 29, 2019
@Entrepreneur is sending the dogs out for the use of the word “Entrepreneur!” You’re suppose to be helping entrepreneurs not hindering! My friend Jen @jenrgy had a fabulous program with her Front Row Entrepreneur, has to change everything because of the word Entrepreneur!
— Crystal Kia-Paul (@AlohaCrystal) March 29, 2019
@Entrepreneur why not give the 'little people' like @jenrgy and all us 'entrepreneurs' a break? Just read @ThisIsSethsBlog and literally am DISGUSTED with your incessant bullying. You've lost a customer for life. Maybe SUPPORT those you are harassing? #smh #smallbusinessowners
— **Becky Auer** (@beckyauer) March 30, 2019
My friend @jenrgy is being hounded by lawyers for Entrepreneur Magazine for using the word “entrepreneur” in a title????? @ThisIsSethsBlog calls ‘em out!! Boycott @Entrepreneur!!!!! https://t.co/LcfGxURZ0h
— Erica Brenner (@classicalerica) March 30, 2019
So why is @Entrepreneur putting a muzzle on @jenrgy ? Koodles to her for standing up to their bullying tactics and @ThisIsSethsBlog for putting them on blast. #unfollow @Entrepreneur https://t.co/K0jU8KWNyU
— Rusike Cedric (@cedricrusike) March 29, 2019
Wow, so @Entrepreneur is going after people using the word ‘entrepreneur’, like that’s their property? Shame on you! And well done @ThisIsSethsBlog for standing up for @jenrgy https://t.co/bLP5x1xgEf
— Jane Travis, Grow Your Private Practice 😎 (@counsellorbiz) March 29, 2019
This is far from ok. Stop bullying the entrepreneurs, @Entrepreneur! https://t.co/sg6WxOH2sk @ThisIsSethsBlog @jenrgy pic.twitter.com/Am795hOigU
— Nicole (@nicki_van) March 29, 2019
If you are an entrepreneur- and call yourself an entrepreneur- and why wouldn’t you - over 650k new businesses a year in the uk - read the shocking tale of @Entrepreneur bullying - I’m genuinely shocked- thanks for being brave @SethGodinBlog @jenrgy
— angie moyes (@angiefuz) March 30, 2019
Wait a minute... They are threatening action unless you stop using the (super common) word #entrepreneur??? That is REDICULOUS!!
— Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) March 29, 2019
Shame on you, @Entrepreneur.