Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -1 down vote favorite

If I created a seed accelerator program in New York City, can I call it icombinator or wcombinator?

What are the legal issues with copying the name of the famous seed accelerator program in California - YCombinator?

share|improve this question
This is a Trademark issue, and my guess is no. – Zuly Gonzalez♦ Jun 5 '11 at 17:04

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

No, you can't do that.

If you did that, you would confuse the public. The public would think you were associated with YCombinator when in fact you are not. Further, you would be choosing that name deliberately to benefit from YCombinator's well known brand so you could even be liable for willful trademark infringement.

share|improve this answer
2  
@Tim, in the US, you still have trademark rights even if you don't have a registered trademark. You get rights just by using an unregistered mark in commerce. FYI, I'm an attorney specializing in IP law. – user6603 Jun 6 '11 at 2:34
up vote 2 down vote

It wouldn't make much sense anyway.

"Y-combinator" is a clever name because of what it means: a function for enabling anonymous recursion in other functions.

"W-combinator" and "I-combinator" are just nonsense.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.