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Changing band name! How little is acceptable?

O

Ottsworth

Dec 14, 2010
87
3
London, UK
www.facebook.com
#1
Hi everyone,
Well, I'm a little bit annoyed at the moment because I've just discovered that there is another band with the same name as mine who is asking me to change my name. :bawl: I should note that I am an un-established solo project of original material whilst they are an established cover band. We have both been going since 2009. So whilst I'm annoyed, it looks like I'm going to have to change the name... but what I'd like to know is how little of a change is acceptable in a situation like this? I would very much like to be just able to add "The" or "A" or a collection of numbers/letters to the end just to distinguish it, but is that really acceptable as a difference, and would it hold up in court (not that I consider this going anywhere near court)?!?
Any input would be helpful, thanks! :)
Otto
 
#2
Have they registered the name as a trademarK? I think that would be their only way to force you to change. If they can establish that they used the name prior to you, they might have a case. To answer your other question, if your band was named "The Beatles and you dropped, "The," you'd still be in violation. You might be better off to pick a new name. It's my opinion that if the music is crappy, a cool name won't make it good. Check out this article for a scenario of competing bands with similar names.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/14/money-s-what-we-want-and-stop-trading-our-name/
 
#3
mccartneyman said:
Have they registered the name as a trademarK? I think that would be their only way to force you to change. If they can establish that they used the name prior to you, they might have a case. To answer your other question, if your band was named "The Beatles and you dropped, "The," you'd still be in violation. You might be better off to pick a new name. It's my opinion that if the music is crappy, a cool name won't make it good. Check ou thi article for a scenario of competing bands with similar names.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/14/money-s-what-we-want-and-stop-trading-our-name/
Click to expand...

No, I came to an agreement with them, I feel in no position to use a name they are actively using to a much greater extent than I am. However, I would really like to use a variant, that is what I'd like to know. We play completely different music so I doubt they could claim I was ripping them off...
 
#6
Are you guys even close to each other geographically? If not, and there was no chance of your bands crossing paths, I'd politely decline on that basis alone. That, or if your band has been around longer and you have means of proving it I'd argue that.
 
#8
drpepper said:
Oh, I though you were changing your name to "How Little Is Acceptable?"

I thought, wow, those guys are secure in their manhood.
Click to expand...

Hahaha!!! :D

jmattbassplaya said:
Are you guys even close to each other geographically? If not, and there was no chance of your bands crossing paths, I'd politely decline on that basis alone. That, or if your band has been around longer and you have means of proving it I'd argue that.
Click to expand...

Yes there is, we're both coincidentally in London, so there are relatively high chances.
 

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