Using The Same Band/Artist Name As Another?

[pudha]

I've been using a stage name for a few months only to discover that another artist is using it.

The only difference is that mine has a 'Z' behind the name...So if his is Bubba Blocker, mine is Bubba Blockerz

He's been using it long before I have...

His genre of music is totally different to mine, he lives in Pittsburgh (I live in London).. He's unsigned.

He's registered his music on itunes so that might cause some confusion if I keep the same name and sell my music..

What do you guys reckon?

Is it ok if I keep the name with the additional 'Z'??

[djmukilteo]

Names are a dime a dozen!
If he's been using it before you, it would make sense to find a new name...
It's not the name anyway it's the music!
If your music is signed, different and better and you make a go with your stuff and he doesn't than why give him a coat tail to hang on to!
If he's making a go of it, then people will think your coat tailing
Either way I would change it!
It's the kind of thing that gets a write up in your bio when your famous!

"Bubba BlockerZ changed his name back in 2010 because of another artist who had been using that name previously in 2008. BBZ went on to 10 successful platinum records after changing his name and never looked back...."
BTW....You can use "BBZ" if you want! Hehe...
Just look me up someday after you've gone platinum as BBZ and maybe give me a little credit on the suggestion! 8)
Peace

[BobRogers]

In Don Passman's book he spends a lot of time on band/stage names. This will give you a good idea on the law. Since the names are not identical and you are a large distance apart, there is very little chance that there will be any conflict.

[dvdhawk]

If you've only got a few months invested in this new stage name, I'd consider altering it to make it more distinctive. The iTunes issue you mention will be the biggest sticking point. Brand confusion.

It's nearly impossible to lock up exclusive rights to a name, Apple records and Apple computers are still going at it all these years later. And they're not in the same business. I don't think anyone every bought a computer, took it home, put it on their phonograph, dropped the needle on their powerbook and expected "Hey Jude" to come out.

I don't know if your copyright/trademark laws are similar. But here in the states, all you can do is trademark the look of your logo/name as used in advertising and establish a territory in which you are known by that name. Then sometimes when a famous band breaks up it leads to ugly lawsuits to determine who is entitled to continue under the band's trademark name.


Have you considered Bubba Blocker Mellencamp?

Good luck!