Company upset with the owner of EntrepreneurIntelligence.com.
Entrepreneur Media, the company behind the popular print magazine and Entrepreneur.com, has sued yet another entrepreneur for alleged trademark infringement.
The target is Karla Sandoval, who runs an entrepreneur training site at EntrepreneurIntelligence.com.
Sandoval apparently got on Entrepreneur Media’s radar with a trademark application filing. Entrepreneur Media opposed the application and Sandoval didn’t respond, so the U.S. Patent and Trademark office entered a default decision.
Now Entrepreneur Media is upping the game with a trademark infringement lawsuit (pdf) in U.S. District Court, Central District of California.
In addition to asking for any domain names Sandoval owns that include the word “entrepreneur,” the company is demanding “all of Defendant’s profits or gains of any kind from her acts of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition, including a trebling of those damages,” actual damages and punitive damages.
Welcome to entrepreneurship, Ms. Sandoval.
Carly says
Perhaps this is why booking.com wants a TM
To shut down any other entrepreneur from use or inclusion of the word booking in a domain name
Blue says
Unreal! How can you claim to own a common word like Entrepreneur or Booking? Reminds me of when Amazon was given patents on one-click ordering and online coupons.
kd says
The people at Entrepreneur Media seem to think they own the term. Take notice, if you own domain names containing “Entrepreneur” they will send you frivolous C&D’s claiming rights to your domain name. They really want control over the generic dictionary word, but unfortunately do not have the rights to make such claims. It is quite embarrassing how they act.
GRISS says
It sounds a bit ridiculous. It starts to get a bit funny.
Rob says
They have been doing this for a while now … I received a scary Seis and Desist letter from them regarding some of my domains in the late 90s that even threatened jail time … Its pretty Hypocritical … they Openly write and sell services/products for/about entrepreneurship and Secretly bully, threaten and sue entrepreneurs … I say BOYCOTT their magazine/services/business!
Scott Smith says
You’re right! “Anti-Entrepreneur” mag has been trying to monopolize the word “entrepreneur” for quite awhile. Since the 1970s actually. But they’re getting away with it because most entrepreneurs are too small and/or intimidated to go “public” or fight back when attacked by Anti-Entrepreneur. But do you think “winemakers” would be afraid to go public and fight back if some idiot-run magazine claimed to own the word “winemaker”? So why are entrepreneurs so afraid to defend themselves against Anti-Entrepreneur? Their attacks against us would end if we all go public and fight back and share our evidence against them, instead of making the mistake of trying to fight back alone (which seems to be also caused by attys because they can charge more fees by fighting back by not sharing info w/ others). There are millions of us, but only one of them! In fact, I have tons of evidence that Anti-Entrepreneur’s trademarks should be cancelled due to fraud and genericness (i.e. they stopped claiming their so-called “Entrepreneur Expo” trademark soon after I filed a case against them due to all their fraudulent conduct). So you and others should contact me if you’re truly upset about Anti-Entrepreneur’s egregious attacks against us. Otherwise you’re helping them by keeping others from gaining more knowledge about what they’re up to. Looking forward to hearing from you. Scott “Entrepreneurman” Smith (scott at bizstarz dot com).
conrad says
Sounds like you have it well in hand, Scott.
A lot of responsibility for one person with a mountain of evidence and millions of fellow entrepreneurs.
thelegendaryjp says
What a wonderful world…
Justin says
The guy that owns this company used to rob banks..true story.
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-08/local/me-1868_1_entrepreneur-magazine
Scott Smith says
Great info! But current owner is PETER SHEA. He and his former partners bought Entrepreneur mag from the founder, CHASE REVEL, in mid 80s. And “Chase Revel” was just one of countless aliases he apparently used to hide his “rap sheet.” In fact, one of the reasons Entrepreneur mag’s trademarks are FRAUDULENT is because Chase got their trademark by using a FAKE NAME on their trademark papers instead of his given name of “John Leonard Burke”! This is why Entrepreneur mag claims they’re a great company that’s been around since the 70s, but never mention Chase Revel or their true history. I don’t think Chase Revel’s name appears anywhere on their website!
conrad vicker says
Hey Scott, it sounds like sour grapes to me. Why don’t you ever mention you’ve sued entrepreneurs too. Hard working people who thought they were dealing with Entrepreneur Mag but were being scammed by you who intentionally and willfully infringed on Entrepreneur’s legitimate trademark. You have also been held in contempt in federal and state courts and had incarceration and fines levied on you for not following court rules.
All the info is out there for people to see for themselves with a quick search.
Revel did rob a bank in the 1960’s. Big Deal. Why don’t you mention that he sold the company over 30 years ago. Also why don’t you mention “Entrepreneurman” that you haven’t had a had a job in over 15 years because Entrepreneur has a nearly a 2 million dollar nondischargeable judgement against you.
Conrad
bizstarz says
So who is “conrad vicker”? No one. Entrepreneur mag was started by a con artist using a fake name, and now Entrepreneur mag’s shills must post comments using fake names. Too funny. The tradition of deceit continues. And Entrepreneur mag’s shills are crazy obsessed with me – and only attacked me and none of the other commenters – because they’re freaking out about the mountains of evidence of fraud I’ve uncovered against them.
conrad says
So what is “bizstarz”? Nothing. What is too funny is your silence on all the facts. Mountains of evidence of a fraudulent trademark. Well why aren’t you using the word “entrepreneur” again Scott? Your not letting multiple judgments in multiple courts stand in your way, are you?
The tradition of deceit does continue. It started with Entrepreneurpr and it continues with your very skewed and lopsided facts.
Your an army of ONE scott.
bizstarz says
Can you name any other business magazine that was founded by a convicted felon using a fake name and now must continue to use fake names to defend itself? Entrepreneur mag is surely the most corrupt and disliked business magazine of all time. Entrepreneur mag’s CEO Peter Shea has even admitted that E-mag has a history of majorly lying to its advertisers about its circulation.
bizstarz says
THEN: Entrepreneur magazine’s founder (Chase Revel) used fake names to hide his real identity. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine’s owner (Peter Shea) uses fake names to hide his real identity. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine’s founder (Chase Revel) defrauded trademark office to get trademarks. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine’s owner (Peter Shea) defrauds trademark office to get trademarks. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine’s founder (Chase Revel) hired attorneys to threaten entrepreneurs who use the word entrepreneur. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine’s owner (Peter Shea) hires attorneys to threaten entrepreneurs who use the word entrepreneur. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine ran get-rich-soon ads targeting wannabe entrepreneurs. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine runs get-rich-soon ads targeting wannabe entrepreneurs. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine promoted generic and 3rd party use of the word entrepreneur while simultaneously threatening entrepreneurs for using the word entrepreneur. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine promotes generic and 3rd party use of the word entrepreneur while simultaneously threatening entrepreneurs for using the word entrepreneur. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine’s founder (Chase Revel) did not want people to know about his attacks against entrepreneurs who use the word entrepreneur. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine’s owner (Peter Shea) does not want people to know about his attacks against entrepreneurs who use the word entrepreneur. THEN: Entrepreneur magazine was a trademark bully. NOW: Entrepreneur magazine is a trademark bully.
conrad says
Many big liquor companies were founded or run by bootleggers during Prohibition.
Jimmy Hoffa and the Detroit Mafia ran the Teamsters for decades. Should we keep rehashing ancient history over and over again with these organizations?
It seems all you REALLY have is the founder was a bank robber in the 1960’s and sold the magazine in the 1980’s.
With all do respect Scott, it was you business and publication that broke the law.
Multiple courts have said just that. You have been out of business for years and E mag is still around and making money and your really the ONLY person who can’t get over it.
I would think some of your past clients might think your business was corrupt and surely disliked.
Lying to customers is something you CEO’s might have in common.
Even more so when you were found guilty of willful infringement then turned around and still tried to sue your clients for your advertising fees,
Fidalla Ho says
Every few years when passing through various airports I thumb through and see what Entrepreneur Magazine has to offer as far as business content. Each time the result is the same. There is no benefit that I can see to reading the magazine. 90% of what they promote are simply franchises, which I imagaine they are getting some sort of ad fees and possibly residual payments. In my humble opinion, the magazine contains nothing of value for a true small business owner. This coupled with the fact that they are bringing frivolous lawsuits on hard working people shows that they have no moral compass. It is amazing that they are still in business, again IMHO. FH
Dave says
I would think it normal for a bank robber to use a fake name. I know I would. I’d probably use “Smith”. Can’t get more anonymous then that.
bizstarz says
Can you get more anonymous than using the fake name “Dave” w/ no last name or link to a profile or website?
John N. says
What about “Bizstarz”? That is a fake name. And you even claim to be the president of a fake business.
If your business is fake your logically the one using the fake name. What better name to use (Smith) when your trying to evade judgments and collections.
bizstarz says
More non-sensical comments from “trademark bully” Entrepreneur magazine CEO Peter Shea hiding behind yet another fake name. And since you send me letters calling me the “N” word, you obviously know I’m part African-American, and that “Smith” is a “slave name” forced upon my ancestors by their slave-masters.
John N. says
Very typical when cornered bring false accusations of race into the mix in hope of stirring outrage.
The fact is you haven’t answered the question or was being president of a fake company “Bizstarz” forced upon you?
It’s obvious “Bizstarz” is fake so one could conclude your name probably is fake also.
Looking at your employment record I don’t think the “N” word scares you. I think it’s the “J” word (job) because that means it involves the “W” word (work).
bizstarz says
Still hiding behind fake names and your keyboard Peter? Typical trademark bully. How about this? Sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that you, Peter Shea, is not a racist and have never been involved with calling me the “N” word, and back it up with a pledge to donate $1,000,000 to an organization such as the United Negro College Fund if you’re proven to be lying? Can you do that w/out having to resort to hiding behind more fake names and making more personal attacks against me and anyone else who dares to stand up to you? Didn’t think so.
bizstarz says
Peter Shea, your lack of sensitivity towards slavery and racial issues comes as no surprise to anyone who knows you or Entrepreneur magazine’s lack of diversity. You’re not even able to pretend you’re not uncomfortable being called out for calling people the “N” word. This is why you must hide behind a gang of $800/hr “big law” attorneys, fake names, your keyboard, and even refuse to show up for depositions about your own cases. What are you so afraid of?
John N. says
So the owner of a worldwide magazine that you lost to in court is using many fake names on this little blog because he is worried that you who are the “president” of a non-existent company (Bizstarz) has all this evidence against his magazine.
It appears you have a need to feel relevant and elevate your own importance. That’s where the fake name and company that you fail to comment on come in.
Unfortunately for you your relevancy is reduced to fantasy on nothing blogs because you are mostly ignored.
Your not worth the time “Bizstarz”. It is futile to argue with a person who lacks reality.
bizstarz says
Peter Shea, why would the “owner of a worldwide magazine” be obsessed with my name (Scott Smith) or the BizStarz name? And how are they “fake”? Like Entrepreneur magazine’s egregious trademark claims, you make no sense. You also of course continue to hide behind actual fake names and refuse to “sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that you are not a racist and have never been involved with calling me the “N” word, and back it up with a pledge to donate $1,000,000 to an organization such as the United Negro College Fund if/when you’re proven to be lying.”
John N. says
Scott, you need to take your medication . It’s good you. Then you could go back to playing “president” of “Bizstarz”.
Maybe later you can get on an air force site and be an astronaut or fighter pilot.