Does copyright protection extend to sound-alike names? Could I establish a MacDunnald’s or Windy’s fast food?
Yes to both. McDonald’s or Wendy’s would sue you though. And most likely win.
For example, there’ve been any number of people who’ve called their business “Eastern Onion” and Western Union always sends in the attack lawyers. Usually these are settled out of court.
In Santa Cruz there was a vegetarian restaurant called McDharma’s. McDonalds successfully sue stop their use of that name.
I recall a guy named “McDonald” in Britain who had a restaurant that predated McDonald’s was suing McDonalds to stop them from using the name. Anyone know how that turned out?
Of course that shouls read “sued to stop the use of that name.”
“Iowa Sound” I get it…it only took me a few hours!
Doh.