Whats the law on stage names?

[Classic]

Say I wanted to call myself "Bob" and did a quick search only to discover theres already an established artist called "Bob".

Can I possibly run into any legal problems naming myself that?

 

[HacksawJimThuggin]

Depends if they have a trademark. Also, if you're using their likeness to your own benefit. If someone would never confuse the two, then you should be good. But with both you guys being musicians, it could happen, so I'd steer clear.

 

[Classic]

Depends if they have a trademark. Also, if you're using their likeness to your own benefit. If someone would never confuse the two, then you should be good. But with both you guys being musicians, it could happen, so I'd steer clear.

How can i find out if they have a trademark?

As far the other part, the other person is some old school r&b singer and a im a rapper soo i wouldnt use their likeness to my benefit and we wouldnt be confusable. I jus rly want dat name

 

[the cac mamba]

 

[Ghostface Trillah]

You would run into legal trouble in that scenario if they're professionally known as or doing business as Bob.

That's the reason all biggies albums are by the notorious B.I.G and not "biggie smalls"

 

[Jnxxx]

There's two Dr. Dre's. And the singer from Trapt his name is Chris Brown

 

[Taadow]

Say I wanted to call myself "Bob" and did a quick search only to discover theres already an established artist called "Bob".

Can I possibly run into any legal problems naming myself that?

You should just call yourself "Informal Robert", or do the "B.O." thing like T.I. did.

 

[BlackFruitPunch]

Say I wanted to call myself "Bob" and did a quick search only to discover theres already an established artist called "Bob".

Can I possibly run into any legal problems naming myself that?

I think so. Common was known as Common Sense but there's a band or an artist already named common sense so he had to change it.

 

[The Devil's Advocate]

Say I wanted to call myself "Bob" and did a quick search only to discover theres already an established artist called "Bob".

Can I possibly run into any legal problems naming myself that?

go to the trademark site... official us gov... and do a name search.. it'll come up


it's all to do with the other artist.. even if they don't have the trademark, if they put out albums and copywrote them, they'll still have first use

now you can do what you want for the name.... but if they come with that lawyer, saying you owe them... prepare for a case

if they never do, then you good... it's all up to the original artist