10-21-2009, 02:43 PM
You won't have to give up your 'hobby'; you can come up with another name, and the nice little ego stroke of a large twitter following will quickly recreate itself as it seems people are following your unique contributions, not just the twitter name. A few preemptive tweets before you switch names and notices on your web site will get most people on the new wave length pretty quickly.
I'd look at it as a simple business transaction, Their concern for confusion doesn't sound entirely unreasonable, and they seem to be in a bargaining posture. They've, as expected, opened with a low offer, a swag bag and possibly access to "inside" information to be named later, but also say they're, "...open to reasonable suggestions."
I'd set pride and territoriality aside for the duration and craft a polite, respectful counter offer reply. Whether that's putting the ball back in their court with 'make an offer' or naming a specific figure, that's your call, but I would make clear to them that, while you're not trying to soak them, you're aware of the value of what they want, as well as the value of the good will your hard work has now attached to the name, and would like to receive fair value for what they're asking.
With any luck it will stay on a cordial footing and you can get through this without lawyers getting involved except to dot the i's and cross the t's on a final agreement.
I'd look at it as a simple business transaction, Their concern for confusion doesn't sound entirely unreasonable, and they seem to be in a bargaining posture. They've, as expected, opened with a low offer, a swag bag and possibly access to "inside" information to be named later, but also say they're, "...open to reasonable suggestions."
I'd set pride and territoriality aside for the duration and craft a polite, respectful counter offer reply. Whether that's putting the ball back in their court with 'make an offer' or naming a specific figure, that's your call, but I would make clear to them that, while you're not trying to soak them, you're aware of the value of what they want, as well as the value of the good will your hard work has now attached to the name, and would like to receive fair value for what they're asking.
With any luck it will stay on a cordial footing and you can get through this without lawyers getting involved except to dot the i's and cross the t's on a final agreement.