3 ms·

> The NOAA one isn’t made by the government, seems like using that name should be some kind of copyright infringement. I'm pretty sure copyright doesn't apply

> The NOAA one isn’t made by the government, seems like using that name should be some kind of copyright infringement. I'm pretty sure copyright doesn't apply here! It's possible it's a trademark infringement? (No idea if the name or acronym are trademarked though), or possibly impersonation of a government entity? Either way, it's certainly not a copyright issue to use the name.

MBCook 8y ago
You’re right, trademark infringement just what I should’ve written. It’s probably fine legally. They’re showing new NOAA weather data, so calling it a “NOAA weather“ or “NOAA Radar” is correct, just misleading.
- pbhjpbhj 8y ago
  Usually "misleading" is what Trademarks are intended to prevent. If it's misleading (in the EU at least) then it's most likely an infringement. "NOAA weather" as the app name implies that the direct source of the _app_ is NOAA, "Weather using NOAA data" and similar wording disambiguates and avoids trademark infringement (and/or passing off ["misappropriation"/misrepresentation in USA] - which is a very weak unregistered version of Trademark which this situation nonetheless appears to fall foul of).
deleted 8y ago
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xenophonf 8y ago
The Lanham Act prevents anyone from registering trademarks that "Consists of or comprises the flag or coat of arms or other insignia of the United States, or of any State or municipality, or of any foreign nation, or any simulation thereof": https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1052 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1052 That includes government agencies themselves: https://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/cafc/12-1356/12-1356-2013-10-01.pdf https://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/cafc/12-13...