Copyright Question OT

Ok, this is off topic, but you guys know EVERYTHING. Can a person copyright
their name? I know you can copyright your likeness (like Elvis), but you can't
keep other people from using your name (well unless it's to commit fraud). Here
is the scenario: I'm in a club that races R/C cars, we want to hold a race in
memorium for an R/C pioneer that has died. We want to call it by his name (ex:
John Smith Memorial Race), but his widow says we cannot do that without her
permission. I don't think that is right. Even if his name was copyrighted
wouldn't it become null and void upon his death? Anyone?

Thanks,

Lori
Lori

"To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the
world" -unknown

On 5/27/04 9:48 PM LEPFAN1 is reported to have said the following:

Ok, this is off topic, but you guys know EVERYTHING. Can a person copyright
their name? I know you can copyright your likeness (like Elvis), but you can't
keep other people from using your name (well unless it's to commit fraud). Here
is the scenario: I'm in a club that races R/C cars, we want to hold a race in
memorium for an R/C pioneer that has died. We want to call it by his name (ex:
John Smith Memorial Race), but his widow says we cannot do that without her
permission. I don't think that is right. Even if his name was copyrighted
wouldn't it become null and void upon his death? Anyone?

Thanks,

Lori

"To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the
world" -unknown

No, names cannot be copyrighted. And I don't know whether or not you
would need the widow's permission, however, if she objects, why would
you not respect her wishes?

Joan

--
Gone fibernatin'.

Even if his name was copyrighted
wouldn't it become null and void upon his death? Anyone?

Thanks,

Lori

"To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be
the
world" -unknown

No, names cannot be copyrighted. And I don't know whether or not you
would need the widow's permission, however, if she objects, why would
you not respect her wishes?

Joan

--


Names can be trademarked however. Case in point: Dale Earnhardt: when his
name appears as a signature, logo or with his number, there is a trademark
symbol each time.

And Copyrights do survive their owner by 75 years (or is it 50? No coffee
yet....).

But I'd definitely follow the wishes of his widow, it's just the nice thing to
do.

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
Updated: 7/7/03 -- now available Dragon of the Stars
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

"LEPFAN1" wrote in message
...
Ok, this is off topic, but you guys know EVERYTHING. Can a person
copyright
their name? I know you can copyright your likeness (like Elvis), but you
can't
keep other people from using your name (well unless it's to commit fraud).
Here
is the scenario: I'm in a club that races R/C cars, we want to hold a race
in
memorium for an R/C pioneer that has died. We want to call it by his name
(ex:
John Smith Memorial Race), but his widow says we cannot do that without
her
permission. I don't think that is right. Even if his name was copyrighted
wouldn't it become null and void upon his death? Anyone?

Thanks,

Lori
"To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be
the
world" -unknown

Answering your question with another question, if you thought enough of the
man to want to honor him, why would you want to do so against his widow's
wishes?

Felice

Walt Disney has been dead for decades. Try to use a Disney image for anything.

That's different. They've got "mickey mouse" copyrighted to somewhere
2020 or so. And other characters too..

Johanna

--
Johanna Koski
Finland, Europe

In article , Johanna Koski
wrote:

Walt Disney has been dead for decades. Try to use a Disney image for
anything.

That's different. They've got "mickey mouse" copyrighted to somewhere
2020 or so. And other characters too..

I believe some of those are trademarks, not copyright. Two different ballgames.

lara

--
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/needlepoint_etc/
http://www.digitalstoryteller.com/BT...ey/index.shtml
Photographer - editor - writer

On 28 May 2004 11:11:03 GMT, wd (Caryn) wrote:

Names can be trademarked however. Case in point: Dale Earnhardt: when his
name appears as a signature, logo or with his number, there is a trademark
symbol each time.

When its the signature, would that be considered graphics being
trademarked, not the actual name?

Or does that mean that my autographed Stephen King books are
(potentially) covered under another copyright by virtue of his
signature?



Jenn L.
--
http://community.webshots.com/user/jaliace
http://sewu9corn.blogspot.com
Maddie's Room (cherished teddy collage for roundrobin)
Cynthia's Sampler (Just Nan round robin)
UFO's:
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