Q: I've registered a pet sitting service where I pop in to feed pets, and called it merry pop-ins, pet nanny. Is this OK?
Before I start trading, I just want to check I won't have Disney on my back? Thank you
A:
Your business name could potentially raise trademark concerns since it plays on Disney's "Mary Poppins" character and brand. While puns and wordplay are fun for business names, large companies like Disney are known to protect their intellectual property rights vigorously.
The safest approach would be to modify your business name before launching to avoid any potential legal issues down the road. You might consider keeping "pet nanny" but changing the first part to something that doesn't reference the famous nanny character.
If you're committed to this name, consulting with an intellectual property lawyer would help you understand the specific risks and options. They could evaluate whether your current name might infringe on Disney's trademarks and suggest ways to protect your business interests.
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