can you get sued over a name?

[Nikki Snow]

Hi lovelies. I'm about to get my start camming and I've chosen the name Nikki Snow. Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. resulted in a few real people with this name but nothing major. Could one of these real people turn around and sue me or something for using that as my performer name? I posted this quickly from my mobile so sorry my profile is blank, I hope to work on it later. You all seem so great and supportive, I look forward to getting to know you and being a part of the community! (Thanks for sending me here Velvet_Marx from mfc, if you ever see this, it's missdirtygirl)

 

[MyCamgirl]

There is a webcam site that uses to choose/suggest names for their models, probably to avoid crazy names or problems with brands. Nikki Snow is the kind of name they would choose. So I don't think anyone named Nikki Snow can sue you for that.

But I've heard of two MFC girls who had to change their names because porn actresses were already using those names. As far as I know, there was no legal action. They were simply asked to use different names.

 

[Zana]

They can't sue you for the use of a name. If that was the case, everyone in the world would have to have a different name.

Now if it someone like a pornstar or actress, etc. that has sort of branded that name, that's different. Though I don't believe you would be sued, just maybe asked to change it.

 

[Nikki Snow]

Thanks. I figured it wasn't an issue but it was bugging me enough to ask.

 

[mynameisbob84]

There's a model called Facebook and as far as I know, she hasn't been sued yet. So you should be okay with Nikki Snow.

 

[NoelleBright]

There's a model called Facebook and as far as I know, she hasn't been sued yet. So you should be okay with Nikki Snow.

Yup, and plenty of girls who take the names of book/tv characters with no problems at all.
I was very excited to find a Penny Hume on Streamate the other day.

 

[PlayboyMegan]

I thought I was really pushing it by having "Playboy" in my name. One asshole tweeted Playboy several times to complain about me using their name. But luckily, Playboy hasn't said anything to me about it. So I'm sure you're fine.

 

[Poker_Babe]

There is actually a semi-well known porn star who has my REAL name as her stage name. :lol: Although it is spelled slightly different. (I would never try this because I'm not a bitch but) I don't think I'd be successful if I tried to sue her.
Although, the Apache Indian tribe did sue my high school to get them to change the name of their football team. Basically, they said that the team sucked so bad, it was disgraceful for us to use their tribe as our mascots. So I guess anything is possible. But I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Ambers Troll]

Thought it wise to step in to respond to this question.

Can only be sued over registered trademarks i.e. Disney, Coke, Dreamworks etc. ... and also copyrighted names (unless it is your own name, or it can be proven that you are not to be profitting from the copyrighted name) i.e. Hermaine Granger would be a copyright breach most likely.

You are not allowed to profit from someone elses copyrighted work or trademark, being a model would definitely count as profitting from the name.

I thought I was really pushing it by having "Playboy" in my name. One asshole tweeted Playboy several times to complain about me using their name. But luckily, Playboy hasn't said anything to me about it. So I'm sure you're fine.

Megan's name is ok so long as she has been assosciated with Playboy in some way... this gives her permission to use it in this context. Also you must profit directly from any name usage for it to be a potential breach of copyright/ trademark laws. So using it in your twitter/ facebook for fun is perfectly fine.
For the most part those with the rights don't care too much about small breaches, so there is no need for too much concern.

 

[Minnie]

I haven't read the thread only saw the title and it flashed me back to when I starting out trying to build my website and I got a C & D from Apple Computers trying use the name Minnie Apple.

 

[Teagan]

As stated if the name isn't owned in some way you're okay. And if it isn't used my anyone notable then you aren't stepping on others toes either. Like trying to use a pornstars name as your own, or like a new pornstar trying to use my name, it's just bad taste really to do. No one in the industry is using it, go for it then.

 

[rexcode]

Are you in the United States? If so, you can be sued over just about anything.

 

[ramblin]

I haven't read the thread only saw the title and it flashed me back to when I starting out trying to build my website and I got a C & D from Apple Computers trying use the name Minnie Apple.

Apple and Disney are pretty notorious about being quick on the legal trigger.

The Beatles have also been suing Apple Inc. on and off for 30 years over the use of "Apple". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corp ... e_Computer)

 

[Sansa]

As long as another more well known adult actress (or actor) isn't using the same name, and as long as it's not a brand from a major company, you should be fine.

And even still, porn star April O'Neil got her name from Ninja Turtles because she's a big fan (Google is good at hiding this one if you're not the type who lives in the safe search off zone) and she's being doing her line of work for a while now.

 

[Always_Tim]

The Beatles have also been suing Apple Inc. on and off for 30 years over the use of "Apple". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corp ... e_Computer)

At this point Apple Inc. owns the trademark "Apple" for all uses and licenses it back to Apple Corps. But that was a long fight, often quite nasty. (One casualty of which was the Apple IIGS, my first computer, which had its final hardware revision canceled in part due to this conflict.)

And even still, porn star April O'Neil got her name from Ninja Turtles because she's a big fan (Google is good at hiding this one if you're not the type who lives in the safe search off zone) and she's being doing her line of work for a while now.

The only registered trademark in the USPTO database for "April O'Neil" is in the category of "IC 028. US 022. G & S: TOYS, NAMELY FIGURES FOR GAME PLAYING." (currently held by Viacom) so using it to sell porn is a non-conflicting use and thus not a trademark violation.

 

[HarmlessSquirrel]

Are you in the United States? If so, you can be sued over just about anything.

This is true. You can be sued over virtually anything. That doesn't mean the suit will be successful though. The judge can even just throw out the suit and refuse to hear the case if it seems really pointless. And yeah, with something like a name, especially if you're not marketing with it on a large scale, probably the most the suit would ask for is that you stop using it. Plus most people would probably just ask you to stop directly before bothering to file anything.

 

[BritneySiren]

I doubt you'd get sued for it although if you were going to change your name I'd do it before you establish this one cause that can be a pain trying to solidify another name after a while... though I think people would find ya again

 

[goldenaye666]

It is in the Terms Of Service on some cam sites that models are not allowed to use a screen name that belongs to a celebrity or other known entity. Because the cam site itself risks being sued. The individual model is a small fish. If the agent of porn star for example, finds a link to a cam site profile when conducting an Internet search for their client's stage name and it isn't their performer's profile, they will likely send a cease & desist letter to the cam site's staff. Then it is up to them to make the model change their screen name, or face the potential legal ramifications.