Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Pennsylvania

Can I change my last name to Mouse?

Can an individual change his legal name to anything he wishes, as long as he takes the proper steps to do so? For example, can I change my name to Mickey Joe Mouse or Mickey Mouse for short and not be in a legal bind with the Walt Disney Company? After all, if my fathers last name just happened to be Mouse and Mom just happened to name me Mickey then? Also, can a person have more than one LEGAL name?


Asked on 1/29/02, 12:42 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bruce Burdick Burdick Law Firm

Re: Can I change my last name to Mouse?

That would almost certainly put you in a bind with the Walt Disney Company for willful trademark and service mark infringement. The fact that you have to ask should tell you that. If you think not, ask yourself if you have $500,000 to blow on defending against a lawsuit by Disney. They probably have no financial limit on the amount they are willing to spend. That change of name could result in you being financially ruined quicker than a dotcom. It would be one of the stupidest moves possible.

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Answered on 1/29/02, 12:51 am


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