I have an add running for my business since August 2022, on…

If a local business is copying your ad word-for-word, it may be considered trademark infringement. Trademark infringement is the unauthorized use of a trademark or service mark on or in connection with goods or services in a way that is likely to cause confusion, deception, or mistake about the source of the goods or services.

In North Carolina, trademark infringement is a civil offense. This means that you can sue the infringing business for damages. To prove trademark infringement, you must show that:

• You have a valid trademark.
• The infringing business used your trademark without your permission.
• The infringing business's use of your trademark is likely to cause confusion, deception, or mistake about the source of the goods or services.

You may be able to send a cease and desist letter to the other business, demanding that they stop using your intellectual property. If that does not work, you may be able to pursue legal action, such as filing a lawsuit for copyright infringement.

In addition to taking legal action, you may also want to:

• Contact the website or newspaper where the infringing ad is running and ask them to remove the ad.
• Contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against the infringing business.
• Write a letter to the infringing business demanding that they stop using your trademark.

If the infringing business does not take action to stop using your trademark, you may need to take legal action to protect your rights.

I hope this information is helpful to you and I wish you all the best moving forward! Feel free to add me to your favorites. Whenever you have a new question, start a new thread and request me. Thanks for using Just Answer.

While having a trademark certainly strengthens your case, plagiarism is still plagiarism even if the ad is not trademarked.

If you don't have a trademark for your ad, it may be more difficult to prove that the other business has committed plagiarism or infringement. However, if the other business has copied your ad word for word, it could still be considered plagiarism or a violation of your intellectual property rights.

If you have contacted the business owner and the ad is still running, you may want to consider sending a cease and desist letter to the business demanding that they stop using your ad and remove any copies of it from their website or advertising materials. If they continue to use your ad after receiving the letter, you may need to consider taking legal action.

In addition, you may want to consider seeking legal advice from a local attorney who specializes in intellectual property law to discuss your options and help you determine the best course of action.

Here are some of your options moving forward:

• Send a cease and desist letter. A cease and desist letter is a formal letter that warns the other party to stop infringing on your copyright. You can send a cease and desist letter yourself, or you can hire an attorney to do it for you.
• File a lawsuit. If the other party does not stop infringing on your copyright, you can file a lawsuit against them. You can sue for damages, including lost profits and attorney fees.
• Contact the advertising platform. The advertising platform may be willing to take down the ad if you complain to them.

Here are some additional considerations:

• The cost of a cease and desist letter or lawsuit. A cease and desist letter or lawsuit can be expensive, so you should factor the cost into your decision of whether or not to take legal action.
• The likelihood of success. The likelihood of success in a lawsuit depends on a number of factors, including the strength of your copyright and the evidence you have that the other party infringed on your copyright.
• The potential damages. If you are successful in a lawsuit, you may be able to recover damages, including lost profits and attorney fees.

Ultimately, the decision of what to do is up to you. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide what is best for you.

Best wishes to you moving forward!