5 ms·

Are clever acronyms an end run around copyright claims?

by adolph 5y ago

shadilay 5y ago
In this case wouldn't it be a trademark instead of copyright?
- adrianmonk 5y ago
  In which case, there's probably no conflict because you don't infringe trademarks if you're in totally different markets. Which is why it's OK that there's a Columbia encyclopedia and a Columbia sportswear. Or Fisker scissors and Fisker electric cars.
ocdtrekkie 5y ago
It's probably challenging to argue the government is infringing Disney's copyright: It's not a remotely related field of industry, it's not for profit, and the US government is not technically able to hold IP rights itself to anything. "Star Wars" itself was the name of a previous defense program, so, I'm sure this debate was had out decades ago.
- ARandomerDude 5y ago
  "Star Wars" was actually not the name of the program, it was a derogatory nickname coined by Ted Kennedy, akin to calling the ACA "Obamacare." [1] The formal name of the program was "Strategic Defense Initiative," or "SDI." 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative#Controversy_and_criticism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative#C...
  - ocdtrekkie 5y ago
    You have me there, thank you for the correction.
    - jedberg 5y ago
      Not to mention that defense program got the nickname Star Wars after Lucas released the movie.
      - SahAssar 5y ago
        Star Wars was released 6 years before SDI was created, so I don't see how it would be any other way?
        jedberg 5y ago
        Exactly.
- talideon 5y ago
  This would be trademark law if anything, not copyright.
- nonameiguess 5y ago
  He didn't win, but George Lucas actually did try to sue over that: https://www.leagle.com/decision/19851553622fsupp93111385 https://www.leagle.com/decision/19851553622fsupp93111385
kube-system 5y ago
No need to. Names, titles, and short phrases are not protected by copyright. https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf You're probably thinking about trademarks, which only protect the use of an identifier when used in the business of a particular trade.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
energybar 5y ago
check out airforce platform one logo with "the child" https://software.af.mil/dsop/services/ https://software.af.mil/dsop/services/
- nonameiguess 5y ago
  I work for Platform One and many of us are continually amazed that Disney hasn't dinged us for this yet. I'm pretty sure there have been plans for a while now to get a new logo that isn't such a blatant rip off but I have no idea where they're going. I mentioned in another comment that George Lucas tried to sue over people calling the SDI "Star Wars" back in 1985. I can't find any evidence now, but I believe he once sued either the Air Force or NRO (can't remember which) over a mission patch with an x-wing on it.

Are clever acronyms an end run around copyright claims?

by adolph 5y ago

Are clever acronyms an end run around copyright claims?

shadilay 5y ago

In this case wouldn't it be a trademark instead of copyright?

adrianmonk 5y ago
In which case, there's probably no conflict because you don't infringe trademarks if you're in totally different markets. Which is why it's OK that there's a Columbia encyclopedia and a Columbia sportswear. Or Fisker scissors and Fisker electric cars.

ocdtrekkie 5y ago

It's probably challenging to argue the government is infringing Disney's copyright: It's not a remotely related field of industry, it's not for profit, and the US government is not technically able to hold IP rights itself to anything. "Star Wars" itself was the name of a previous defense program, so, I'm sure this debate was had out decades ago.

ARandomerDude 5y ago
"Star Wars" was actually not the name of the program, it was a derogatory nickname coined by Ted Kennedy, akin to calling the ACA "Obamacare." [1] The formal name of the program was "Strategic Defense Initiative," or "SDI." 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative#Controversy_and_criticism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Defense_Initiative#C...
- ocdtrekkie 5y ago
  You have me there, thank you for the correction.
  - jedberg 5y ago
    Not to mention that defense program got the nickname Star Wars after Lucas released the movie.
    - SahAssar 5y ago
      Star Wars was released 6 years before SDI was created, so I don't see how it would be any other way?
      - jedberg 5y ago
        Exactly.
talideon 5y ago
This would be trademark law if anything, not copyright.
nonameiguess 5y ago
He didn't win, but George Lucas actually did try to sue over that: https://www.leagle.com/decision/19851553622fsupp93111385 https://www.leagle.com/decision/19851553622fsupp93111385

kube-system 5y ago

No need to. Names, titles, and short phrases are not protected by copyright. https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ33.pdf You're probably thinking about trademarks, which only protect the use of an identifier when used in the business of a particular trade.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

energybar 5y ago

check out airforce platform one logo with "the child" https://software.af.mil/dsop/services/ https://software.af.mil/dsop/services/

nonameiguess 5y ago
I work for Platform One and many of us are continually amazed that Disney hasn't dinged us for this yet. I'm pretty sure there have been plans for a while now to get a new logo that isn't such a blatant rip off but I have no idea where they're going. I mentioned in another comment that George Lucas tried to sue over people calling the SDI "Star Wars" back in 1985. I can't find any evidence now, but I believe he once sued either the Air Force or NRO (can't remember which) over a mission patch with an x-wing on it.