Los Angeles, CA asked in Business Law, Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Business Formation for California

Q: Can I start an organization in the name of a deceased public figure?

The Foundation for the person in question (Kathryn Kuhlman) recently shut down, and she has no immediate offspring such as children.

1 Lawyer Answer
Robert P. Cogan
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Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • San Diego, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Questions to be considered include whether your organization would be confused with the Foundation and how to avoid confusion. It also has to be determined if use of the name would violate rights of others, even for the name of a deceased person with no immediate offspring. This can get tricky.

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