Posted by Chiusano at hiper1-d12.stk.cwnet.com on February 21, 2000 at 01:38:11:
In Reply to: Kevin, Xena and Micheal Keaton (slight repost) posted by Duke_of_Fluke on February 21, 2000 at 00:11:12:
: For example, there's Michael Keaton, who's real name is Michael Douglas, who changed his name either for legal reasons or just to save on confusion - not sure which. There are other examples, like UK bands who have to change their names cos a US band got there first (eg, the Chemical Brothers used to be the Dust Brothers, until the original Dust Brothers made em change it).
I might very well be wrong, but I don't think that you can be *legally* forced to alter your name just because a colleague shares it. I think that most do it as a way to distinguish themselves, but I'm almost positive that they cannot be forced to do so. But as for band names, that's a whole different score there. That *is* a copywrighted name. That can be considered a form of plagurism, I believe.
And there are so many damn Kevin Smiths in the world that I find it hard to believe that some douchebag New Zealander specializing in god-awful syndicated programs can officially make himself the One True Definitive Kevin Smith.
But I never knew that tidbit about Keaton. I just got a leg up on my next game of Trivial Pursuit.
Chiusano