Anduril - Aragon's sword after it was reforged, also called "Flame of the West".
Palantir - One of the seeing stones, originally made by men but corrupted by Sauron to drive people to despair who used it. Ominous TBH for an intelligence company.
I want to enjoy my LotR as an escapist fantasy without being reminded of the American military industrial complex please.
And guess who invested in it - Peter Thiel, of Palantir (among others) fame.
And they all share one thing in common; Peter Thiel as a co-founder or investor.
This is what happens when students (UBC) get the chance to name peaks... (There's another range not too far with Mt. Brew, Mt. Keg, etc...)
[0] https://www.google.com/maps/place/Phelix+Crk/@50.6216842,-12...
What is copyrighted is a character, or potentially a detailed fictional entity behind the proper noun. If you make a story about a character with similar identifiable traits to Harry Potter, for instance, that violates Rowling's copyright on the character. Even if your character isn't named Harry Potter, but using the same name would make the case super easy to win.
They could be registered as trademarks, but then the estate would have to show that the use of the trademark was confusing or deceptive. I don't see how it could be, unless someone believes we live in Middle Earth, or unless Tolkien's estate used those names for companies (which would have to do things, not just be paper or shell companies) or products. They'd still have to show that the other companies' use of the names was confusing or deceptive; if the estate's companies or products weren't in the tech space, that might be difficult.
The seeing stone lets you see things, but is easy to misinterpret if you're not careful. It is itself neutral, but can be corrupted for evil. Lots of power, but hard to wield. It's a tool and important for those who use it to understand the risks and account for them - to try to wield its power for good.
If there is a "trademark" issue, I would think they'd need to work directly with the Tolkien Estate, who still own the original works. (Didn't original D&D use "hobbits" and have to change it to "halflings" because of the Estate?)
(IANAIPL)
Not because trademarks, none are. But because courts have ruled if you use enough elements, esp characters you somehow are infringing copyright. Or rather, it is easier to cave and change your product than endure the risk and expense of long court battle.
Also, “The Cyber”.
These guys are all poli sci and religion majors who know more about fantasy movies than the commands they are assigned.
We really need to nuke our defense budget from orbit, starting with the officer corps, which is full of cowards, incompetents, and grifters.