4 ms·
Can I name my company after a computer science algorithm? Like YC
How YCombinator did this? Does anything in the law prevent it? Do you have to take permission from the creator of the algorithm?
- heptathorp 11y agoWhy not? You could name your company after a fruit if you wanted to (as long as there isn't already a company in your industry with that name).
- kek918 11y agoWho would name their company after a fruit anyway? Oh wait, never mind
- lumberjack 11y agoYes but I think it would then be harder to trademark. .
- floppydisk 11y agoTrademarks can be industry specific. One could trademark a fruit or algorithm name in the context of a company.
- sharemywin 11y agotrademark database http://tmsearch.uspto.gov http://tmsearch.uspto.gov you should also check the state you live in. Secretary of state usually manages fictitious trade names checking domain names is a good proxy also. if no one cared to buy xyz.com then they probably didn't trademark it, etc.
- kele 11y agoI believe there is a big difference between Y combinator and Dijkstra. In the former case, it could be harder.
- mahshidz 11y agoCan you elaborate more on this? It is harder to name?
- davismwfl 11y agoI think the issue is using a generically named algorithm name versus using a persons name that the algorithm is named after could be a different story. In the example, Dijkstra is a surname, ycombinator is essentially just a made up name. So it could be conceivable that the estate or a living person could take issue (legal action) with you using their name. If I really wanted that name, I'd check with an attorney and probably get a release from the estate or living person to utilize their name in my company name, just to avoid any issues.
- kimolas 11y agoDid you mean "In the latter case"?
- kele 11y agoYes, thanks!