Ask HN: Can I use a Pokemon's name as my product name?
I am building a product but still haven't decided on the name yet. I am planning to use a Pokemon name but want to know if there are some copyright issues or IP infringement issues associated with it.
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8 comments
| 3 points
| on HN
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I disagree, especially compared to their counterparts Sony and Microsoft, but the rest of your point stands
The explicit association between your product an Pokémon may be worse than the actual name clash itself.
For instance, suppose I manufacture mini submarines and I name one of them Seaking. Well, guess what, that is a Pokémon character name. It's plausible that this is a complete coincidence and I can get away with that claim even if I did in fact get that from the Pokémon name. If I broadcast the Pokémon association, then that could get the attention of someone at Nintendo; they could come to the conclusion that I'm trying to use their business to promote mine somehow.
Just consider the name carefully and how plausible it is that you came up with it independently, considering factors like: how weird is the name? Are you known to others to be a big Pokémon fan? Have you blogged or tweeted anything about Pokémon, and especially that Pokémon?
Also, assuming that your product isn't directly related to video games, people are going to ask how you came up with the name. Are you ready to explain that your company is named after a teleporting cat that can be found in the woods and has super powers?