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Terry Jacobs who has been asked to change the name of his company by the BBC
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BBC asks man to change name of his business

By Laura Herbert
July 20, 2012

A DIY man is being asked to change his business name by the BBC after claims it could damage the reputation of a home renovation show.

For the last six to seven years Terry Jacobs has been visiting customers around Bracknell and the south carrying out property maintenance and repairs under the name Tel’s DIY SOS.

But now the 56-year-old says he’s been asked to rename his company because the makers of BBC programme DIY SOS are accusing him of using its brand.

Terry, of Warfield, received a letter from the BBC on Monday, July 9, asking he change the name.

He said: “It seems they have nothing better to do than pick on a small man. No-one has ever said to me ‘are you something to do with the DIY programme on the telly?’.

“If I was a big multi-million pound company I could understand, it just seems a little bit pathetic.”

According to the letter, Terry has 21 days to formally make the change and notify the BBC.

He added: “It was a shock when I got the letter.

“They are trying to say they own ‘DIY SOS’ and are telling me to change the name because it is their brand name.

“I was aware of the programme but I thought of the name as I’m not just a painter and decorator. I never gave it [the programme] a thought.

“They have stated in the letter if I don’t alter the name and change it in writing they will take it further.”

To comply with the BBC’s request, Terry, who only uses his van to advertise his business, will remove ‘SOS’ from the name.

He added: “I’m amazed for a big company like that how long it has taken them. They must have seen my van going backwards and forwards from jobs in London.

“But it seems petty to pick on a one-man-band.”

A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC works actively to protect both its reputation and the goodwill in its programme titles. The DIY SOS programme is a trusted brand that is highly recognisable to the public.

“The BBC sometimes takes steps to control how the title of this programme is being used by third parties whose goods or services are closely related to the subject matter of the programme. This is to avoid any confusion amongst the public that those goods or services are either connected to or endorsed by the BBC.

“The BBC has been in direct contact with Mr Jacobs to see how this matter can be resolved with the minimum amount of disruption to his business.”

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Most recent user comments 13 of 13

You would have to be a bit dim to confuse the two...... he does not look anything like Nick Knowles.

Mr Jolly
08/08/2012 at 11:53

Harry - are the other broadcasters upset about Mr Jacobs and his business though?

Nowtas, West Berkshire
23/07/2012 at 09:18

Weelwisher, Nowtas: It is a brand in so far that the rights are sold to other broadcasters, which in turn allows for new programmes to be made

Genial Harry Grout, Twyford
20/07/2012 at 16:49

Talking of Rogue Traders, I had the fright of my life while out walking the pooches on Sunday - Hector and Beresford (Bichon Frisse/Staffy crosses). It had been a lovely stroll around Englemere pond...

Listen lad, I said, you might be at liberty to express yourself in such a manner in the leafier parts of North London, but this is Berkshire.

Alan Titchmarsh Esq., Bracknell
20/07/2012 at 15:48

"The DIY SOS programme is a trusted brand..." No. It is a particularly shoddy piece of midweek schedule filler. Bless them for thinking they can shove an obvious title to it and think they have ownership of two abbreviations, but they really do not. The meanings of DIY and SOS are very clear and well known, and apply to the both the TV show and the lcoal business. No-one is going to think the TV show is suddenly renaming itself around some bloke called Tel, so the confusion they want there to be simply does not exist.

This is unfortunate news to emerge the same week as all that damage to the "reputation and the goodwill" of the similar BBC "brands" Watchdog and Rogue Traders, isn't it?

Nowtas, West Berkshire
20/07/2012 at 11:31

Will this really affect the BBC? No. Terrry, I am sorry you have been exposed to this bullying and my prayer is that your business and influence will grow and grow with the support you will inevitably get from this article.

Timothy Jefferies
20/07/2012 at 10:44

...although not sure how I'd feel if he turned up to render his services head-to-toe in black and wearing a ski mask. Mrs Titch would have a turn.

Alan Titchmarsh Esq., Bracknell
20/07/2012 at 10:35

No Megaman, the BBC should focus it's efforts on replacing that Friday night charlatan Monty Don.

Can I suggest Mr Jacobs rebrands himself with the minimum of outlay to a new signwriter by calling himself DIY SAS......

Alan Titchmarsh Esq., Bracknell
20/07/2012 at 10:33

This is a massive case of picking on the small man. BBC should focus its resources on getting better football pundits than Mark Lawrenson and Alan Shearer.