Ecosmart - oh, really?

[Tom]

Found this site recently: http://www.ecosmartspas.ca.   I am looking at their Perimeter Heatshield, which appears to be a violation of our trademark for Perimeter Heatlock.  Gotta love it when the competition mimics us so closely.  Follow the leader....

After I was unable to locate any of their trademarks on either the US or CA government sites, I noticed...Hmm, that's looks like a Canadian site, but it has a UK phone number.   Strikes me as odd.  I haven't tried it, but I'm told that if you call that number, it goes to Dynasty Spas [<<hearsay warning]   A search of the UK trademarks database costs 80 lbs, so I'll pass.

Also notice that they claim an Energy Star rating.  I followed the link and it goes to a generic Energy Star pamphlet about home insulation.  Neither hot tubs nor insulation has Energy Star designation, as far as I know (you are welcome to correct me if you know better).  

HeatShield is a registered TM for the company making the insulation and if you look closely, Ecosmart has apparently registered the word "Perimeter":  Perimeter(tm) Heatshield

So let's see, it looks like they're claiming trademark registrations that I haven't been able to verify, they're claiming an energy rating they probably can't have, and they're a UK representative of Dynasty spas with a web site that looks Canadian.   Gives me chills.

And to make it worse, they claim to have "The world's most energy efficient spas".  To which I say, "Prove it."   Besides, that's our line.  

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

Grasshopper, go to their "owners corner", download a manual.....all you questions will be answered.

[Swell-Tub]

All they are is Dynasty Spas and they use a different name in Europe. Just go to the Dynasty website and you will see what I mean.

Scott

[Tom]

Grasshopper, go to their "owners corner", download a manual.....all you questions will be answered.

Indeed, Master Caine?   I have done as you suggest.

A UK brand using a Canadian web site run by an American company name of Dynasty in Tennessee.  Claims to registered trademarks that do not appear to be truly registered (at least not in Canada or the US, and I have learned that "heatshield" is not registered in UK).  Claims to superiority that are probably without evidence.  Claims to an Energy Star rating that appear to be a violation of that trademark and used without permission.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

I don't think they're claiming a registered trademark. A registered trademark would have a little "R" in a circle ( ® ) after the word, rather than the little TM (™). While there is a difference, ( my recollection is the ® is much easier to enforce in court, but also costs $ ) both are legal....at least in the US (notice I was too cheap to register Dr. Spa and went with the ™    )