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Can I get in legal trouble for using this acronym?

by perneali45
8 replies
Hello, fellow Warriors...

Let's say I have an information product called:

"Keeping Rats And Nightcrawlers Gone"...

... and was abbreviating all that as "Krang."

And also marketing my product as the "Krang System".

Would I have any legal problems with "Archie Comics", the company that published "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"?

"Krang" was a character in that comic:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krang

What do you think?

Thanks in advance!
#acronym #legal #trouble
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Is it just a name or is it a trade-marked word too?

    Why not talk to an attorney?

    Originally Posted by perneali45 View Post

    Hello, fellow Wsarriors...

    Let's say I have an information product called:

    "Keeping Rats And Nightcrawlers Gone"...

    ... and was abbreviating all that as "Krang."

    And also marketing my product as the "Krang System".

    Would I have any legal problems with "Archie Comics", the company that published "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"?

    "Krang" was a character in that comic:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krang

    What do you think?

    Thanks in advance!
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    • Profile picture of the author perneali45
      It's just a name.

      It's not trademarked.

      Yes, an attorney may be the best solution.

      Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Originally Posted by perneali45 View Post

    Hello, fellow Warriors...

    Let's say I have an information product called:

    "Keeping Rats And Nightcrawlers Gone"...

    ... and was abbreviating all that as "Krang."

    And also marketing my product as the "Krang System".

    Would I have any legal problems with "Archie Comics", the company that published "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"?

    "Krang" was a character in that comic:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krang

    What do you think?

    Thanks in advance!
    I'd check the trademark and go from there, but I would also consider a different name as Krang sound very strange to me. Just my two cents.
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    • Profile picture of the author perneali45
      "Krang" was just a fictional example. I won't call my product that. :-)

      Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Whether you get into trouble for using a name will depend upon the protection the name has and whether the registered user decides to enforce his/her rights under the law.

    If I were you, the first thing I would do is Google whatever name you come up with and see how and where it is being used. If it ends up being a product name, company name, or similar, I would find a new name. You can also check name registrations/protection online.

    The reasons for copyright, trademarks, and tradenames have to do with avoiding consumer confusion. If the name you are using could be confused with a protected name, you stand on very thin ice and can be taken to court.

    As already stated in a previous post, seeking competent legal counsel is usually the preferred solution - especially if there is a question.

    The best to you,

    Steve
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    Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
    SteveBrowneDirect

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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      As already stated in a previous post, seeking competent legal counsel is usually the preferred solution - especially if there is a question.

      The best to you,

      Steve
      To expand on this, you don't want just any lawyer. You want a lawyer who deals with trademarks and other intellectual property.

      Joe Blow from the TV might be a whiz at DUIs, slip-n-falls, or real estate transactions, but know next to nothing about trademarks.

      That's why general practitioners refer patients to specialists. If you seek legal advice, seek it from a specialist.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Definitely lawyer time. Every time you have legal questions. Just smart money, ya know?
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    Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    You are fine unless you start using the likeness of the character or make it obvious that you are playing off the character.

    Simple example. I can create a site about apples. I can include recipes, info about all the different types of apples, etc. The company Apple is not going to come after me unless I am using images of their logos or something like that.
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