Madonna Makes Her Mark

Unfortunately for the 'material girl' the name she has chosen for her new enterprise has blown up in her face:

The Czech company Explosia which owns the rights to the trademark, Semtex, said on Tuesday that it had launched legal action to prevent popstar Madonna from misusing its most valued and internationally known asset.

Madonna was revealed on Monday locally to have registered a company in Britain called "Semtex Girls Limited," although the British-based singer's intentions are still the subject of speculation.

It's a trademark infringement that Madonna is not likely to win, unlike her 2000 dispute with the original owners of the domain name madonna.com who were using as a porn site, rather than as a tribute to the original Madonna.

It highlights the importance of doing your homework before deciding on a company or a marketing name. Infringing on someone else's trademark may get you some immediate attention but will cost you plenty in the long term.

Talk to Business Communications Management and your business advisors before you make major marketing decisions that could cost you, rather than make you money.