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Using Your Own Name May Be Infringement, Part 2

Posted by timothy on from the this-had-better-be-a-dream dept.

phillymjs writes "We're probably all familiar with Uzi Nissan and his fight to keep his nissan.com domain name from the clutches of Nissan Motors. Well, more same-name idiocy came to light today-- the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that their staff music writer, Bill Wyman, has received a cease-and-desist letter from lawyers representing former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, for "a seriously misleading and, arguably, an intentional, unauthorized exploitation of our client's name, goodwill and publicity value." It should be interesting to see how this one plays out, because Bill Wyman the musician was born William George Perks and changed his name to Bill Wyman in 1964. Journalist Bill Wyman was given that name at his birth in 1961."

4 of 665 comments (clear)

  1. silly by tps12 · · Score: 2, Flamebait

    Of course, there are tons of "repeat" names. There are just so many people born each year, and only so many names, so these conflicts will happen. The question is, who gets the rights to a name shared with others? This article writeup seems to be angling for seniority (the Bill Wyman from 1961 should get it rather than the one from 1964). But it makes more sense to give it to the one who is more famis. After all, who knows about the journalist Bill Wymann? Probably just his immediate family and some coworkers. But thousands of people know about Bill Wyman the rock and roll star. If you want to cause inconvenience to the fewest number of people, you should force the lesser star to change his name.

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
  2. Sorry to say this... by haxor.dk · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    but:

    "Only In America"

  3. Re:A C&D is just a LETTER by sh00z · · Score: 1, Flamebait
    It's about the journalist using his (own, by birth) name publicly and in connection with works that he authors.
    Correct, but the Rolling Stones dude was using the name in connection with rock music first. It seems to me that out of respect for the readers, when Mr. Wyman the rock critic writes about the Rolling Stones, he should include a disclaimer that he's "Not That" Bill Wyman. If he's been leaving that tidbit out, I can see why Mr. Wyman the musician might be angry. Same way all those reviews of the film "Auto Focus" go to great lengths to point out that the chief suspect in Bob Crane's death is "Not That" John Carpenter.
  4. Listen up... by SPYvSPY · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    ...you fucking cretin. You can be Bill Wyman all you want, you just can't try to make a career out of it that rides on the bassists coattails. For instance, if your name were Calvin Klein, how fair would it be for you to open a retail clothing store with your name in big letters over the top? Are you starting to get the point, or do I need to explain HOW THINGS ACTUALLY ARE IN THE REAL FUCKING WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR FUCKING PATHETIC FANTASY. Fucking dipshit.