Q: Hi. I wanted to start a small business, I wanted to name it after a fictional character from a movie.
In the movie Young Guns, there is a character named Dirty Steve Steven's. I am looking into opening my own homemade soap business and calling it Dirty Steve's Homemade Soap. I want to use a chicken as the mascot but want it to be dressed like the character. Is this legal?
Thanks
A:
Dave:
It really depends on whether or not the name is copyrighted. Even if it is not, the production company or studio that has the rights to the movie, and that is protected by copyright. They can decide to sue you claiming that since the movie is copyrighted, so is the name of the fictional character. Your best approach would be to contact them and get a waiver or a licensing agreement from them that allows you to use that name. Better to find out know instead of putting all that time, effort, and money into the project only to have a big law firm send you a cease and desist letter, or worse, two years from now sue you after you have built up a brand name.
Joseph B. LaRocco, Esq.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
