[Wikipedia-l] Trademarks and user names

Wed May 7 21:16:09 UTC 2003

> A new user registered a few days ago using the name "Harry Potter".
> Warner Bros and JK Rowling have a trademark registered for this
> name.
> 
> On the new users talk page (
> http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk%3AHarry_Potter ),
> MammaBaer posted some concerns about the user name and its legal
> status. I'm not experienced in trademark law, so I post this to
> the list.
> 
> Is the use of a trademarked name as a username problematic?
> 

> JeLuF

Somewhat, depending on the aggressiveness of the trademark holder. I think I
heard that even The MacDonald, (the Lord of the Isles) had trouble with
MacDonald's which is absolutely ridiculous. Probably it is a non-issue as it
will fall below their radar. i named a city on a mud Redwall and have yet to
hear from Brian Jacques....

Fred