What do Jay-Z, Beyonce, Blue Ivy, Veronica Alexandra, and USPTO have in common?

[Gerry]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/showb...y-z-beyonce-trademark-rs/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Essentially, Nothing! Except the USPTO would not allow the TM of daughter Blue Ivy and a company by that name can continue to use the name.

There is a thread on here right now of someone wanting to know about their name they have and now someone is trying to TM the name. That is why I suggested posting in the comments for opposition a statement of ownership of the name. Having something on record of a potential conflict may actually protect the owner of the domain.

No, I am not an attorney. But it seems that "having your say now" and documented on a .gov site would demonstrate concerns over a business being named the same thing as your domain. In other words, show (with date) what came first - the domain name. Then, anything after that date is secondary.

This story of Blue Ivy demonstrates that the same name can be used in business when it means (and represents) two different things:

1. baby-related products, including carriages, diaper bags and baby cosmetics
2. event and wedding planning

This story should provide some light on how the same name can be used by multiple entities as long as each one stays out of the other's business. And it should provide some inspiration to allow domainers to post their opposition of the awarding of a TM. Sure, the TM may still be awarded. But you will be able to demonstrate "on record" your opposition based on the holding of your assets (the name) and have on record the date of the name vs. the date of the TM awarded.