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Comment by blocked_again | Hacker News Reader

LuLu is a billion dollar hypermarket chain. I think it would be a good idea to rename this project in the beginning if you don't want to get into any copyright issues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulu_Hypermarket

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First trademark not copyright.

Second like others are saying there is no conflict here because they are in completely different sectors

Doesn't that only apply if they are competing businesses?

Many countries have a “well-known trademark” doctrine where a mark can be so famous that any business using it could be a source of consumer confusion. For example, if you see that Coca-Cola has released a firewall, you might well think it has some connection to Coca-Cola, even if you know they are not currently in the software business. Lulu supermarket may not be well known enough to enjoy that kind of protection.

Sometimes they can be the same business in different markets and use the same trademark.

Think about how many cities have "Great Wall" Chinese restaurants.

Most people only know trademarks at a national level. In the United States, at least, each state can grant its own trademarks. I've done it in Illinois ($50/10 years), and Texas ($10/10 years).

Lulu is also an online publishing platform. In fact, only "Lulu" that I know.

https://www.lulu.com/

Can't a retail chain and a firewall can share the same name without issues?

Apple and Honda can, I would be suprised if not Lulu too can...

Maybe I'm thick but... what name do Apple and Honda share?

Perhaps the commenter meant Google rather than Apple (for "Fit")?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

The Beatles' Apple. Not sure about Honda, may they're confusing Honda with Nissan and case nissan.com not being own by Nissan the car company?

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Motors_vs._Nissan_Compu...

German hypermarket 'Metro' sued Microsoft over naming because they registered their name for just about any business sector , including computers and data processing. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/08/micro... They sued others, including public transport companies, and a disco place before. I believe LuLu is fine though, it's Metro AG who are far overreacting.

As long as the firewall doesn't start selling produce, there shouldn't be an issue

Is it bad that I read this and immediately though the OP was talking about a cryptocurrency that calls itself a hypermarket chain?

Don't they also make yoga pants? ;)

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