Mighty Mouse Lawsuit

[{Ron!n}]

I read this article and i have a couple of questions:
Apple and CBS sued over Mighty Mouse name, lawyers come to save the day - Engadget
Shouldn't CBS sue M&M for the Mighty Mouse name in the first place??
They have the name copyrighted since the cartoon.

 

[mqudsi]

That's the whole problem.

The other mouse company is claiming that CBS only owns the rights to "Mighty Mouse" when it comes to cartoons, and that they have the original rights for "Mighty Mouse" as it pertains to computer hardware.

So they're alleging that CBS sold the rights to "Mighty Mouse" as a computer hardware to Apple when (in their opinion) it wasn't their name to sell in the first place.

 

[aligator]

so its fine if i make a bakery called Sony or Neosmart?

 

[mqudsi]

That's what they're contending, yes.

 

[aligator]

what aboout instead of "Sony" "sONy" computers???????????

 

[Mak 2.0]

Doing that would be a violation. Same name spelling it different doesnt count. If is did you could release the IpOD as well.

 

[aligator]

but nothing is wrong with MacDonald right?

 

[Mak 2.0]

Same thing. It is just word play. You would still get sued cause all you did was add letters to the name. IF you opened a fast food place with that name you would be in violation of copyrights.

 

[aligator]

oh okay is it illegal even if i make a McDonald in sadfghjhgfdertyhgfh (an unknown island off the coast of fiji)

 

[Mak 2.0]

If they own the copyright with the local govt and it can be upheld in a court of Law. YES.

 

[aligator]

ahh well time to look for another company to rip off