Reply to: Copyright - Star Wars

[Dryden]

S'all good

Tatooine is not registered with the IPO in any way, so it is free to use. However I would not try and register it as Lucas Film / Disney will object and then retroactively apply for IPO.

Death Star is registered but only for the purposes of toys.
Intellectual Property Office - By number results

But as all said, don't flash it around, and do not do any work for Disney.

[NickNick]

I think Lucas would probably be ok about it. After all, he did nick it in the first place from these guys who happened to be next to where the filming took place.

I went there once. Had the tulips. I wouldn't recommend the place.

I stayed in d'Jedidi nearby and had a similar experience.

[proggy]

Just like poor old Mike Rowe

All he got was a MSDN sub, he should have held out for a few million.

[jmo21]

Start an IT Co, call it MacroSoft - get jumped on

Just like poor old Mike Rowe

[proggy]

I am thinking of changing mine to reflect one man band status.

Hans Solo Software Solutions Ltd

Thanks

Hans

[Chugnut]

Tatooine was just an example.

I was actually thinking about starting a company called Dagobah Systems, but the domain name has been taken anyway, so balls to it.

If you've got kids and they're boys you could call it Tatooine Systems & Sons Ltd.

Think about it.

[mudskipper]

Well two points here and I think they are down to your example but you would also get jumped on twice for the second one. The IT giant could pull one of two lines. One is the unsavoury nature of the business affecting the brand of the like sounding IT company. Slightly different law I think but still trouble and also as per the YouView vs Yourview it can still be pulled for sounding confusing. Diff products but names too similar.

I know picking on an example that probably isn't the best but thought I would just say.

Indeed - I remember the 'chubby checker' app got sued.

[AtW]

Granada TV tried to stop Ford calling their car the Granada and failed because there wouldn't be any confusion between the two.

Yeah, but Ford has got enough money to afford top legal eagles.

[TheFaQQer]

I did a short stint at the IPO and the gist was that IF you could reasonably expect the use of the name might cause some confusion (not defined as to how thick the 'confusee' might be sadly) over your's and IP 'owners' business then you'd be in breach.

Granada TV tried to stop Ford calling their car the Granada and failed because there wouldn't be any confusion between the two.

Wombles Skip Hire were made to change their name because there might be confusion with the Wombles, who are renowned for clearing rubbish away.

If Tatooine (or whatever) is a registered trademark then you're into more difficulty.

[kingcook]

Tatooine was just an example.

I was actually thinking about starting a company called Dagobah Systems, but the domain name has been taken anyway, so balls to it.

[AtW]

I think Lucas would probably be ok about it

George Lucas will be fine... because he'd already sold the franchise to Disney

[malvolio]

Dunno if anyone's thought to Goggle it, but there is actually a Tattoine Computing in Cleveland, Ohio...

[northernladuk]

I did a short stint at the IPO and the gist was that IF you could reasonably expect the use of the name might cause some confusion (not defined as to how thick the 'confusee' might be sadly) over your's and IP 'owners' business then you'd be in breach.

Start an IT Co, call it MacroSoft - get jumped on

Start your own Male Escort agency, call it Micro-Soft - you might get away with it

Well two points here and I think they are down to your example but you would also get jumped on twice for the second one. The IT giant could pull one of two lines. One is the unsavoury nature of the business affecting the brand of the like sounding IT company. Slightly different law I think but still trouble and also as per the YouView vs Yourview it can still be pulled for sounding confusing. Diff products but names too similar.

I know picking on an example that probably isn't the best but thought I would just say.

[bless 'em all]

I did a short stint at the IPO and the gist was that IF you could reasonably expect the use of the name might cause some confusion (not defined as to how thick the 'confusee' might be sadly) over your's and IP 'owners' business then you'd be in breach.

Start an IT Co, call it MacroSoft - get jumped on

Start your own Male Escort agency, call it Micro-Soft - you might get away with it

[barrydidit]

I think Lucas would probably be ok about it. After all, he did nick it in the first place from these guys who happened to be next to where the filming took place.

I went there once. Had the tulips. I wouldn't recommend the place.