10 10
10 10

Can I get in legal trouble for using this acronym?

by
perneali45
perneali45
Profile picture of perneali45
perneali45
Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
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
Avatar of Unregistered

Need 10 more characters to post

Loading...
  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    DABK
    DABK
    Profile picture of DABK
    DABK
    Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
    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!
  • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Ehinger
    Benjamin Ehinger
    Benjamin Ehinger
    Profile picture of Benjamin Ehinger
    Benjamin Ehinger
    Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
    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.
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Steve B
    Steve B
    Profile picture of Steve B
    Steve B
    Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
    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
    Signature

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

    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      JohnMcCabe
      JohnMcCabe
      Profile picture of JohnMcCabe
      JohnMcCabe
      Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
      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.
  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    ryanbiddulph
    ryanbiddulph
    Profile picture of ryanbiddulph
    ryanbiddulph
    Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
    Definitely lawyer time. Every time you have legal questions. Just smart money, ya know?
    Signature
    Ryan Biddulph helps you to be a successful blogger with his courses, manuals and blog at Blogging From Paradise
  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    MikeFriedman
    MikeFriedman
    Profile picture of MikeFriedman
    MikeFriedman
    Posts: Threads: Thanks: Account age: less than a second
    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.
Avatar of Unregistered

Need 10 more characters to post

Loading...

Trending Topics