Protecting Our Trademark and Creative Work: A Timeline of the Infringement

August 13, 2025

Share:

I never imagined I’d be here—fighting to protect the work I poured my heart into. But today, I’m sharing this story because silence allows theft to continue. And I won’t stay silent.

 

In 2019, I published my bestselling children’s book, What If We Were All The Same! It’s a vibrant, rhyming story that teaches kids the importance of kindness, inclusion, and self-love. That book changed my life—and the lives of thousands of children who read it.
 

Now, someone has copied the title, the message, and was selling their version of it as if it were their own.

Title

This is not just wrong. It’s a legal violation.

And I need your help to fight back.

C.M. Harris
Title

My Book — The Original

In 2019, I released What If We Were All The Same!, written by me, C.M. Harris, and beautifully illustrated by Ashlynn Feather. It quickly gained national recognition.
 

✅ Featured by BBC CBeebies

✅ Donated by the San Francisco 49ers (over 2,000 copies)

✅ Chosen as an Amazon Teacher’s Pick

✅ Used in school districts and classrooms across the country


 

I later expanded the series under the now federally registered trademark: What If We Were®.

SALE 27%
What If We Were All The Same!
What If We Were All The Same! Front Cover by Author C.M Harris
What If We Were All The Same! Back Cover by Author C.M Harris
What If We Were All The Same! Sample Page by Author C.M Harris
What If We Were All The Same! Close-up Image of the Book by Author C.M Harris

What If We Were All The Same!

Bestseller
$16.00
$21.99

(345 ratings)

(Additional 10% off when buying from 2 pcs)

The Infringement: Palmetto Publishing

In January 2025, I came across a book titled What If We All Were The Same? written by Diana Pannoni and published by Palmetto Publishing, CEO Jack Joseph and distributed by Far Corner Inc—CEO Chris Myers, with Damon O’Toole listed as their CFO.

(As of mid July 2025, Pannoni's Infringing book has removed the ability to purchase, but the listing is still visible online as of today.)

Using a federally registered trademark without permission—especially in the same market space—constitutes infringement. It misleads consumers into thinking there is a connection between the products. Even if there was no ill intent, the effect remains the same: it creates marketplace confusion and undermines trust in the original brand.

 

Trademarks exist to protect both creators and consumers. When they’re ignored or dismissed, we risk a world where originality goes unprotected—and that hurts all of us.
 

 

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Subscribe

To join our mailing list and never miss a baby update!

Thanks for contacting us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Title

Become An Affiliate
Book cover of 'My Teacher Says: A Day At School' with a classroom illustration and colorful text.

My Teacher Says

$12.00

★ "A cheerful, enthusiastic story that helps children start their day with a good attitude." - Readers' Favorite

Start the school day with a smile!

 

My Teacher Says: A Day at School is a heartwarming rhyming picture book that follows a cheerful young student through a typical school day, full of fun, friendship, and important life lessons.

From morning routines and riding the bus to learning how to share, be kind, and work through big emotions, this sweet story celebrates the power of kindness in every classroom. Perfect for ages 5-9, this book encourages positive behavior, emotional growth, and joy in everyday school moments.

Whether it's your child's first day of school or a reminder of how wonderful learning can be, this book helps young readers feel excited, seen, and supported.

Why parents and teachers love it:

⭐️Relatable and Reassuring: Shows kids what to expect in a school day with playful rhymes and gentle lessons.

⭐️Social-Emotional Learning: Helps children build empathy, kindness, and healthy habits.

⭐️Vibrant and Inclusive: Features diverse characters and fun illustrations that bring school life to life.

⭐️Bonus Reflection Activities: Includes a kindness checklist and thank-you card idea to deepen learning and spark conversation.
Quantity

Left: The violating book
Right: My original, trademarked title

 
Why This Is Trademark Infringement


    •    Nearly Identical Title – Their book title skirts dangerously close to our registered trademark, leading to confusion in the marketplace.


    •    Matching Theme & Style – Both books emphasize diversity and inclusion and use a rhyming structure that closely mirrors mine.


    •    Same Sales Platform – The infringing title was listed and sold on the same retail channels as ours

.

These elements combine to create what the law recognizes as a classic trademark violation.


•. Listed on Amazon in the same children’s category
•  Actively advertised and sold alongside mine
 
We believe that is a blatant trademark and copyright infringement.

Timeline of Events


📌 2019
I published What If We Were All The Same! Copyrighted in 2019 and received national and international praise.

 
📌 2020–2021
The book continued to gain traction with schools, nonprofits, and media.
 
 
📌 2024
I filed for trademark protection of the What If We Were® series.
My trademark was approved and registered under U.S. federal law, later
 

📌 January 2025
I discovered a suspiciously similar book listed on Amazon: What If We All Were The Same?
 
 
📌 January 2025
Amazon investigated the complaint.
Amazon removed the infringing title from sale and quarantined the listing. 
Michelle Rivera from Far Corner Inc confirmed removal in an email dated Jan 20, 2025, 


 

 📌July 19, 2025
I discover Pannoni's infringed book again, on Amazon and multiple other websites available for purchase after being told by Far Corner:

"We have permanently removed these titles from our listings and quarantined the ASINs from being re-listed anywhere in the world."

 


 📌July 2025
I reached out to both Palmetto and Far Corner, offering them the opportunity to remove the infringing book—but they declined to compensate for the damage caused by its extended availability, even though they had the resources to prevent it in the first place. I contacted Palmetto Publishing and Far Corner Inc and gave them a chance to resolve this privately.
 
 
📌 July 2025
 I hired an attorney to lead my complaint as Jack Joseph and Damon O'Toole chose not to comply to my initial letter sent and received via email.
 

📩 Received un-welcoming email from Far Corner Inc:

"...We are actually quite glad that you reached out again.  Only through this type of correspondence can we, together, rid the industry of bad actors." - Damon O'Toole
 
Yet the damage is done, and I’m left covering the legal costs to pursue this further and protect my brand from being diluted because Palmetto Publishing and Far Corner Inc ignored my request in January 2025, and again in mid July 2025. Only after their noncompliance in July to recover damages from the last 10 months was an attorney involved.

Why This Matters
 

As a Black, disabled woman in publishing, I’ve overcome tremendous obstacles to get where I am today. I created Purple Diamond Press Inc to give a voice to stories that matter—stories that represent the overlooked, the underrepresented, the unheard.

 

This isn’t just about a book.

 

This is about:
    •    Protecting creators and small businesses
    •    Upholding the law
    •    Fighting for fairness in publishing

 

If they can steal my titled idea and profit from my work, what’s stopping them from doing this to others?
 

What Do I Need? Your Help

Your donations will go directly toward:

 

- Attorney fees

- Trademark defense

- Copyright litigation

- Filing for statutory damages

- Protecting my future book series from further violations

 

💸 Goal: $15,000

 

 

How You Can Help

 

✅ Donate — Even $5 makes a difference

✅ Share this GoFundMe with your networks

✅ Purchase a book at PurpleDiamondPress.com

✅ Tag creators, legal advocates, influencers, and educators

 

This isn’t about confrontation—it’s about standing up for the rights of independent creators. If unchallenged, unfair practices threaten our ability to continue producing the stories that matter.
 

I’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal costs and push for accountability—not out of resentment, but out of necessity. Stronger IP protection preserves creative integrity for every author.

 

I believe in justice. I believe in the truth. And I believe that stories—especially stories written by people like me—deserve to be protected.

 

If you’ve ever believed in the power of integrity, please stand with me.

 

Together, let’s show the world that small authors matter.

 

With gratitude and strength,

 

C.M. Harris

 

Founder & Author | Purple Diamond Press

📚 What If We Were All The Same! (2019)

🔐 What If We Were® – Official Trademark

 

📌 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-fight-for-justice-they-stole-my-book-title
 

#JusticeForAuthors #StandWithCharity #WhatIfWeWere #StopBookTheft #SupportIndieAuthors

 

 

Donate To The GoFundMe