Yup, you read the title right. This Young House is going the way of the dodo and the dinosaur. And although it certainly wasn’t our idea (let’s just say lawyers were involved) it sure has added some excitement to our lives.
The good news is that we’re already whipping up lemonade from the sour lemons hurled in our general direction. We’ve got a brand-spanking-new name and URL, but the site remains exactly the same otherwise. So remember to visit younghouselove.com from this day forth (and to update you reader, bookmarks and even your blogroll if you link out to us).
Ok, so here’s the full scoop. On July 7th, as many of you know, we were busy celebrating our two year wedding anniversary. But on July 8th we got a nice little present in the form of a cease and desist letter from a prominent home improvement magazine/TV show which bears a few similarities to our old site’s name (you guys can figure it out, right?). Don’t they know the two year anniversary present is cotton, not paper? Anyway, they basically ordered that we immediately surrender the use of our old name and URL because they believed consumers were getting confused and may think that Young House Love was in some way related to their brand. Picture us scratching our heads. In almost two years of blogging under that moniker not one person has ever asked if we were related to that company.
That started a rollercoaster ride of emotions. First came fear and sadness – were we really going to get sued or be forced to hand over nearly two years of hard work? Then came confusion and anger – why was the same pub that contacted us last year to compliment our work and offer us a free magazine subscription suddenly sending lawyers after us? Not to mention the fact that our site and our logo looked nothing like theirs, our names were essentially opposites, our projects are on a completely different scale, and we’re clearly just two young people with a personal blog (not a corporation with deep pockets and an army of lifelong experts). But we eventually unclenched our fists and faced reality. Even though we completely disagreed with every single point they made, what two-person blog wants to go up against such an industry powerhouse? Can you just imagine that? In this corner we have a million dollar company. And in this corner… John, Sherry, and a feisty chihuahua. No thanks.
So after many hours spent huddling with an attorney, we decided the best way to move forward (and spare ourselves a potentially long and expensive legal battle) would be to turn the other cheek and change our name and URL. After all, just as the-magazine-that-shall-not-be-named doesn’t want to be accidentally associated with us, we certainly share that sentiment. Now more than ever.
And a funny thing happened after we made the decision to move on to bigger and better things. We got fired up. Not throw-something-I’m-mad fired up, but this-could-be-an-amazing-opportunity fired up. Then came the search for the perfect new name. We tossed out a few odd but applicable ones first (involving our infamous love of white paint, ceramic animals and charming chihuahuas) but we still felt like Youngsters at heart. So we decided to bridge the gap between our old name and the thing that our last URL had always been missing: the can’t-deny-it crush we have on our home. We secured our new website addy on Bluehost for $4 with a coupon (you know we like to sniff out a good deal) and our new blog baby: Young House Love was born. It instantly felt like a place we could call home, and we really like referencing the idea of falling in “house love” (that unmistakable puppy love that we all feel for the casa we’re tenderly fixing up).
And here we are less than a week later, welcoming you to our new virtual abode. We’re still unpacking a bit, so bear with us as we transition everything. We know it may take some time for you guys to get comfortable with our new name and URL, but just as our old blog was once our baby, this one is our “youngest child” which means we’re gonna coddle it and spoil our lovely readers even more than we did before. Weekly giveaways (starting back up tomorrow!), before & afters, step by step tutorials- we’ll serve it all up on a white lacquered platter.
In the order of housekeeping, we would also love to remind you to change your bookmarks, Google Reader (click that link or add “www.younghouselove.com/feed” to find the right feed), and even your blogroll and the outgoing links (old and new) on your blog if you’ve linked over to us (links to specific posts can easily be redirected to the right place by replacing “thisyounghouse” with “younghouselove” in the URL and leaving the rest of the address as-is). Now that we’re legally bound to go by Young House Love from this day forward, replacing those old links and switching any old copy that says “This Young House” to “Young House Love” will really help our new blog grow and prosper (and make our day to boot).
Plus, if you’ve been following us on Twitter or Facebook (btw, we had lots of fun reading everyone’s guesses about our big news all weekend) please take a moment to switch over to our new Young House Love Twitter and Young House Love Facebook pages. They’re a little bare at the moment, but rest assured they’ll be the only place for bonus content and what-we’re-doing details from this point forward. Our old accounts will just turn into periodic annoying reminders to make the move so it’s best to abandon ship and jump aboard our new ones asap (note: please unfollow or unfan the old YHL pages after your switch to help us clean ’em out).
Oh and of course, we’d be forever grateful it you’d tell your friends / family / blog readers / coworkers / dog / gourd lamp about our new address. We would hate to lose a single one of you in the switch. We even made a handy little 120 x 120 button for any fellow bloggers out there who wouldn’t mind adding it to their sidebar with a link back to younghouselove.com (click HERE to grab it), which will really make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks so much for your support. You guys put the love in Young House Love, so smooches all around.
cynthia says
how lame is that!!! they totally suck. wow 2 years have passed and they didn’t even know about it until now. i wonder who snitched?! lol! well, i’m glad that you still have your website up and running. it gives me such inspiration. i just hope one day my husband and baby boy will let me actually do some remodeling to the house.
TEAM YHL! says
OFFICIAL BOYCOTT OF THIS OLD HOUSE. EVERYONE SEND THEM HATE MAIL TO [email protected]. I JUST DID!
Libby says
How ridiculous and petty of them. I have watched that big-bad other show on and off since childhood as well as buy their magazine. As a homeowner I have become increasingly frustrated that they don’t provide good info on sources or that everything is so expensive. I am not such a youngster at 38 now, and probably have more of a budget than most for my home improvement projects, but still like to do things frugally when I can.
Finding sites like yours that offer ideas at reasonable prices has been a godsend for those of us who are decor/construction challenged.
While I used to read your site and watch that other show/read their magazine I now realize that I have no need for that other company. My subscription has been canceled, the show dropped from my TV watching schedule and I will be sure to drop them a note to explain how their pettiness and big-bad greed lost a customer, probably in their key demographic. Big bullies!
Anne says
EMAIL SENT TO TOH
“I have always been a loyal reader and supporter of your magazine. As an interior designer I found your magazine and website very useful. BUT NOT ANYMORE. What you did to younghouselove.com (formerly known was thisyounghouse.com) is absolutley disgusting. You and your company are the poster child of exactly what is wrong with this country. You are sue crazy and think that you can take others down because of your power. Not only did I not associate you with them but even I did I would have taken it as a compliment if I were your company. It is clearly obvious that two people running a blog site are clearly not related to you dip sh*ts running this company. Also the fact that you waited so long to do this just goes to show you had not specific purpose they weren’t harming your company you just did it cause you could. I am now officially boycotting your company and will tell all my friends and clients to steer clear of you and your immature antics. Not only am I shocked at your behavior but I am embarrassed for you. You made a terrible choice and I hope your company suffers because of it.”
Screw those people at TOH we love you youngsters keep doing what your doing!
Cait says
I have to admit that when I opened up your page this morning, I initially thought that you were closing forever, and not just relocating. Having recently discovered your site and not having had time to read every last word in the archives yet, The first thing that ran through my mind was “CAN I PRINT THE WHOLE WEBSITE BEFORE THEY GO OFFLINE?!”
You guys are fantastic and inspirational, and as someone currently living (large?) in NYC, it’s great to see someone else transition to non-city living so very successfully and with such style.
Tracie says
John & Sherry,
Very nicely done on how you handled this situation. A lot can be said for what you don’t say. Well done! I wish you much success and I’m sure your site and entrepreneurial endeavors will continue to grow.
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says
Hi John and Sherry – Congrats on your freshly renewed enthusiasm for the new site! It sounds like you have a slew of little surprises up your sleeve, and I just can’t wait to see what’s in store.
I’ve promptly updated my blogroll to your new domain name.
Christa says
As sick and un American as TOH’s actions are (where is the love for start ups, for mom and pops, for spirited entrepreneurship that is so central to something like renovating homes) I guess you should take it as a compliment….a really mean backhanded compliment…
You guys are getting big time if they’ll bother to sick their room full of lawyers on you. They wouldn’t bother if no one visited your site. What a dedicated following you have, that is only bound to grow.
Beth says
sent to [email protected]
This Old House,
I am very disappointed that you would send a Cease and Desist letter to the “This Young House” blog. If anything, their site name could have brought you more of the younger readers you are now missing out on. If I were you, I would have purchased a ad\link on the left of their page!
I will not be purchasing any of your magazines, watching your TV show or going to your website unless you send an apology combined with a financial compensation to Young House Love and\or purchase an ad on their blog.
Emily says
wow, lame. you guys have a great attitude, bravo.
Charisa says
uuuuuuug! I am constantly researching lawsuits against companies similar to mine in a effort to learn from them… and found out that beside the obvious, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid ridiculous altercations like this! What is this world coming to??? I’m young BTW, and NEVER watch “THAT SHOW” or read the magazine, they’re old crotchity productions. DIE ALREADY stupid company.
Erin says
I also fired off a letter to TOH to express my disappointment. I love how people like to tie up the legal system with silly law suits and threats.
Way to take the high road- you don’t want to be associated with a bunch of old timers anyhow!
Sara says
Martha and anyone else~You don’t have to wait until your subscription expires. You can call the mag and have it canceled asap. They will refund your money for the remainder. Well, they are supposed to, but seeing as how TOH is a big bully, they might not.
J&S~Congrats on movin’ on up! We will be here, no matter what the name! Glad that you haven’t let the suits ruin all that you have worked so hard for. Keep up the great work!
Now, I am off to write my letter to TOH, as I encourage all of you to do.
Jeannine @ Small & Chic says
Asiyah’s letter to TOH cracked me up. Well done!
Now, I will say that having spent a good amount of time in New England (including five years in Brookline, where TOH started), I do love the show. However, a recent article about the behind the scenes stuff that goes on with that enterprise has me realizing that this move is not out of character for them. Some of them are high drama and competitive, it seems.
Anyway, congratulations again on having such a great attitude about this.
Can we still call you the Youngsters? It has such a nice ring to it.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jeannine,
Yup, we’re definitely still the Youngsters so feel free to break that out as often as you’d like!
xo,
s (& j)
p.s. WE STILL CAN’T SAY THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH FOR THEIR AMAZING SUPPORT. A week ago we were worried about a lawsuit and yesterday we were worried that you guys might not like the name/address change, and now we’re just extremely relieved that you are such an encouraging and wonderful group of people. We couldn’t ask for better readers & friends!
diana says
Hi Sherry & John,
While the news was certainly a surprise, the classy and stylish manner in which you handled the crisis certainly was not. Just like your practical, productive and up-beat website, you handled this legal issue with aplomb and style. Continued success with your website under its new domain name, Diana
Robin says
I applaud you guys for your classy response to the Cease and Desist order. It only reflects well on YHL — both that a large company would bother with trying to shut down a blog and that you promptly came up with a solution that will make the site better than ever. It does not, of course, reflect well on that other company – but sadly, paranoid litigiousness is hardly surprising from a dinosaur like TOH.
Keep up the great work! I’m single and a renter but I live vicariously through your great projects and those of the readers who use your services. I’ve already changed my bookmarks and feeds for the new site – and I love the name!
Robin
Sher says
We love your blog! It doesn’t matter the URL. :) I’m sure you guys won’t lose any of us because of this. You have the support of all your readers. :) Congrats on the new and improved site.
caitlin says
I guess this proves you are quite successful!
Once you started appearing in magazines and such and being admired by a larger and larger audience, the other site took notice like, “Hey! We should be getting that attention! Clearly everyone is CONFUSED about the name!”
I am glad the site will continue since I will soon have a new young house to love :)
Val says
I sent an email to TOH to express my displeasure at this entire situation as well. I have also canceled my magazine subscription. I refuse to support a company that, literally, cuts off their own nose to spite their face. After becoming a loyal reader of TYH, my interest in TOH was renewed. But if they think I will continue to support their antiquated, and quite often ridiculous, company they have another thing coming.
Diana says
Totally lame of TOH. And I’m such a big fan of theirs, too. Sigh. But I’m sure the move will be bigger and better than ever. Good luck and I’ll be switching my GoogleReader link pronto. :o)
gabbi says
The names are opposite and you, in no way use their notoriety or ‘branding’ as subject. What a bunch of bullies! Acting professional isn’t about behaving big-headed. Not only is it unfriendly, it also taints talent. As a designer I think it’s a horrible practice to wrap oneself up in competition. There’s plenty of room and much to learn from our peers.
I embrace your enthusiasm and find your blog inspiring. I’ll remain an avid reader and enjoy your future success as much as if it were my own. Your down-to-earth manners and out standing work are appreciated.
Molly says
This is another reason why I love reading your blog… you both are so creative…not to mention, mature. The way you have handled this speed bump is a testimony to how awesome you both are. YHL – here we come~ ;)
P.S. I think Burger could have taken on any lawyer/million dollar lawsuit – ANYDAY!!!
Sarah Temple says
Love the new site and your positive take on this whole “situation”. I’ve been following your site ever since I received my first issue of The Nest (with you on the cover)and I’m constantly raving about you guys to my hubbie, even he has taken an interest. You have a great thing going and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings you.
Heather Kasdan says
I love the new name even better that TYH. I think it is more appropriate for your site anyways since I can feel the love you guys have for your home and each other all the way out here in San Diego!
Thank god you didn’t close shop!
Jessy says
This doesn’t even make any sense! I just got done doing a google search for TYH magazine or tv show and I didn’t find anything but “you”, and then I re-read your post, and found you wrote “our names were essentially opposites”. Am I to understand it’s TOH? Nothing about the two of you is the same. Unless having the words This and House in the title of a *blog* warrants a lawsuit. We live in such a litigious society! You can sue just about anyone for anything and win if you’ve got a ton of money to play with. It’s corporate bullying. I hate it! But I love you guys, and I’ve already changed my bookmarks, my google reader, and now, I’m getting ready to stalk you on twitter!
Christie Stearns says
Thanks for your answers to my questions!! The gourd lamp is cute! :)
I’ve been reading through all the comments, it’s so awesome to see how much support you guys have!!
I think the reader that suggested you do something to protect/copywright your current name is a very pertinent thing to do. Don’t ever want to have to give up your name again!! This is it people!!
I just noticed a completely random happy face at the very bottom of your blog, and it made me smile!
Heather Kasdan says
Here is another sent to TOH…
I am appalled at the actions taken by TOH against the owners of the blog formerly known as thisyounghouse.com. Shame on you for picking on the “little guys” and strong arming them into meeting your ridiculous demands. I am also the owner of a blog and would feel privileged to be associated with them in any way. It is unfortunate for me, a young owner of an old house, that I will no longer enjoy your website, TV show, and magazine. I don’t associate with bullies in my personal life and I certainly don’t enjoy supporting companies who bully others just because they have the legal department to do so.
Heather says
You guys are the best and I love your blog. I would rather be your fan any day over TOH. TOH could have gotten more fans from us youngsters but instead they turned us all away.
P.S you better watch out Burger could be in Legally Blonde 3. :)
Jenn says
Way to look at the switch as a great opportunity! I work in PR in Colorado and had a call today from a reporter with the Richmond Times Dispatch. When the call was put through to my office I responded to my co-worker “That’s where the Youngsters live!”:) No matter what you are called, you have already made a huge impression! The sky’s the limit… Congrats!
Sarah says
I am really glad that you seem upbeat about this move. It is hard to keep your chin up when something comes out of the blue like this. You have a ton of support among your readers and I think you can feel the love. At least I hope so!
I noticed another person suggested a new t-shirt design or something to commemorate the new and improved digs. I love this idea. :) I would def consider a cute house love shirt purchase.
Kristin says
Sherry and John,
The two of you (and Burger) handled this whole ordeal very gracefully. i’ll keep reading every day no matter the url.
i sent TOH a politely worded email letting them know how disappointed i am, and that i’ll be boycotting them and telling my friends to do the same until y’all get a proper apology.
Jessica says
that BIG ol’ corporation just showed it’s true face! Your site is incredible and reflects the people that you are!
Congratulations on the new improved lemonade!
xo,
j
Fatima says
Well, you know you are getting somewhere when big names start coming after you :) Congratulations on your new/young (cyber) house. Hope you’ll find a lotm more success here :)
me says
It certainly is an affirmation of your popularity, isn’t it? As in, they are concerned that you are now competition. Wow, that’s a real compliment.
Way to rise above all of the attempts to own and knock others out of the competition that riddle today’s litigation rabid society. You also did the smart thing to keep your pennies in your pocket. Lawyers are expensive and waiting on the sidelines for this type of suit. It’s not the name that kept us coming back; it is the content. And I’m confident it will continue.
Kevin says
Ok, I think is is a pretty silly that you guys had to change to but in defense of Bob Vila, under copyright law if you don’t defend your copyrights you are open to losing them. The people at This Old House probably liked the blog but if they didn’t say to stop using it, that could leave the door open for a big well-funded company to legally do something similar. Anyway, I guess my point is try not to blame the This Old House folks too much.
CJ says
Just wanted to throw my hat in the ring and commend you on handling this so gracefully. After reading your post this morning, I promptly canceled my nearly 10 year subscription to the magazine of the company that shall not be named. I think that they missed a phenomenal opportunity to collaborate with you two. I’ve been worriedly watching the market share of that company decline in the past decade and it’s due to boneheaded business decisions like this. If that other company was to extend to you an apology and compensation for the migration costs (including compensation for your time), then I would happily renew my subscription. You two do great work, are exceptionally creative and unique and have been bringing joy to my day for over a year. I look forward to seeing where Young House Love goes!
G&D says
Wow–talk about a shake-up! Sounds like you guys handled yourselves well, and the new blog name is great! LOVE the pics in this post–they totally cracked me up. I think YHL will be even bigger and better than TYH. If I wasn’t preggers, I’d totally bust out the champagne and join you in celebration! ;)
Melissa says
sheesh that’s crazy!! That’s so mean!
You all handled it so well! At first I thought you all were going to announce that you all were going to stop your website, period! I was soooooooooooooooo relieved! My heart dropped!! lol I have already updated my blogroll! Love you guys!! =)
Dan says
Is Bob Vila still alive? And what about Norm? I doubt those two heard of the internet and to think I was forced to watch them growing up on PBS.
I’m still a huge fan and can’t wait for bigger and better things from Young House Love!
Nicci Faaborg says
Oh! My heart sank for a minute when I first read the news…but by the end I was jumpin’ for joy (literally)! I’m excited for your new adventure- and I absolutely LOVE your positive outlook on life’s sometimes unexpected & bumpy turns in the road. I think this warrants a celebratory action shot :)
Jaclyn says
I also sent an e-mail to TOH. Shame on them.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I was very surprised to hear that your company served a cease and desist letter to thisyounghouse.com. From my perspective, this was not a wise business decision on your part. As a new, older home owner, I frequent thisyounghouse.com for do-it-yourself and decorating ideas.
After finding their site, it occurred to me to check to see if This Old House was still airing. I was very surprised to find that your show, which I remember watching as a very young child with my grandparents, was still in existence. Because of thisyounghouse.com, I began to buy your magazine and frequent your website.
Because of your greed and attempted intimidation, I will not be spending any more time or money on your brand.
I remain a loyal thisyounghouse fan.
Sincerely Disappointed,
Meagen says
Unbelievable! I almost had a heart attack when I opened your blog and read the title of the day’s post…I was so worried you were gone forever! Huge kudos to the way you handled this ridiculous situation, and I am always continually impressed with your optimism and go get em’ attitude. I don’t think I’m alone in this when I say I want nothing to do with thosewhoshallremainnameless from now on and will always be loyal to this wonderful site and the three of you (Burger included)! “They” will be getting an email from me shortly. We’re all in this with you!
Awesome new name, by the way :)
Melissa says
What a compliment this really was! Your fantastic blog is cleary getting some big (okay, also bad and scary) notice! Can’t wait to see all of the great energy this change is going to inspire!
Now, onto a more self-serving topic…is there any way to find old “We’re Digging” items? A while ago you posted a great clear-glass lamp that I loved, but I can’t find where I book-marked it. Obviously you have more important issues on your plate right now, so I completely understand if I don’t see a response.
Thanks for sticking with us all – I adore your blog!
charmaine says
I’ve been followig your blog for months now–incidentally, stumbled upon it because of your wedding! I was sooo inspired (from asking my local wine shop to save bottles down to paper bag favors — not to mention having a backyard wedding of our own) that i instantly became hooked on your site. Just got married to my sweet (we’re young’ins too) and returned from my honeymoon this morning to find this at the top of my reader.
Great job on the way you handled the sitch–lots of love from newlyweds in cali!
Annie Pazoo says
Well, pooh on the dinosaurs at TOH for thinking TYH was infringing on their brand. And yea for YHL – you guys are excellent marketers and are smart enough not to stay in the fight with them! Glad you’ve already figured out such a great solution!
Jaime @ [Casa de Ayala] says
Whew – I made it over.
Made all the changes – I am a compliant fan!
Congrats on the new (cute!) name!
And see… now that coupon for webhosting didn’t go to waste. It all worked out in the end.
John… Can I call you “Bob?” Just askin’…. =D hehe
Meagen says
The email I just sent off:
To Whom it May Concern,
You all should be ashamed of yourselves. Not only are you pushing the divide in this world between the little guys and the big guys who push the little guys around, but you have just made yourselves look absolutely ridiculous and petty. Why stoop to that level to take out a fantastic, wholeheartedly, lovely and fabulous blog, family, business and more, one that is not threatening you? Especially when they’ve been around for a couple years now and you even befriended them months earlier?! Disgusting. It’s ironic that an enterprise as big as This Old House would be so worried that thisyounghouse.com would, what, take over your world and render you useless? In fact your actions have pushed that in the RIGHT direction, in my opinion. They SHOULD take over and you should be scared. You just threw away loyal, lifelong readers, watchers and idea followers, not to mention big bucks, simply because of one simple name that could have paid off for both parties in the end. Ever hear of collaboration? It’s pretty important in the design world. Perhaps as your viewership drops, magazine subscriptions are cancelled and your blog ticker dwindles you’ll realize the error of your ways. I suggest you add them to your blogroll and check in to follow along on the mess you created, (that the lovely Petersiks took in stride without a fuss) and take note.
Sincerely appalled,
Meagen Boehm
Sarah says
You handled the situation graciously. I’m sure you’ll do amazing things with your new web home just as you did your house!
ChristinaM. says
Wow. Are they going to sue the bloggers of “This Old, Old House” or Neil Young for titling a song “This Old House”? Amazing what people will do in this day and age. Kudos to you guys for rising above it. It will only strengthen your following!!
Janny A. says
Dear Sherry and John,
I felt indignation when I read what they did to you. How could they be so greedy? oh well, their loss.
I love your new name!! and will keep supporting both of you in all you do. You are such an inspiration!
mucho amor!