One more time, how dose copywrighting work?

[Rollermacka]

I made a topic discussing how TNA can do "Stone Cold" Sharkboy and "Macho man" Jay Leathal but one more time how dose a company copywright a name/ gimmick? I uderstand that gimmicks like the BWO or Gillberg were parodys so there isnt much they could do about them but how is it that Kamahla and "Macho man" Randy Savage can keep there name and gimmick in Savages case through at least three diffrent comanies but Tenta couldnt be Avalanche in WCW and Bubba Rogers couldnt be called The Boss because they were too cose to the gimmicks they used in WWF? Another thing I was wondering is how can a company copywright a name that's really just a word? Kinda like how he legally changed his name to Warrior to use the gimmick in other companies where the "Ultimate Warrior" name but how can you copywright something like that or how BG James couldnt be Outlaw in TNA because it was too close to what he did in WWE. Is it like saying I wasnt to be a wrestler called Havoc with green and black face paint, could TNA sue be and say they own that name, or could WWE if I wanted to be called Wrath or Rage?

[Super V]

The main thing behind the whole WWE/TNA thing is that WWE doesn't feel it's necessary to go after TNA. Bottom/Fishing line.

[Kane Knight]

This is a trademark issue, but both answers are the same. TNA would argue parody laws, or that the trademark is not infringed because it doesn't create market confusion. A court might not agree, but it's probably not in WWE's best interest to sue, give them publicity, and risk a loss.

[Kane Knight]

Also, you copyright or trademark a word in a context. I wrote that up above, but it didn't post with the rest. :|

[FourFifty]

I don't know the answer to this question, but ask Bubba Ray Dudley.

[NeanderCarl]

Yeah didn't they copyright the names 'The Deadly Boyz', 'The Deadleyz', 'Brother Ray Deadly' and 'Devon Deadly' after they left WWE, and WWE managed to stop them using the names in TNA because they were too close to the Dudleyz?

[Xero]

Probably for the best. "Deadly Death Drop"?

[TerranRich]

I always thought copyright pertained to written works (books, websites, documents, etc.) while trademarks referred to intellectual property and ideas.

[Kane Knight]

Yeah didn't they copyright the names 'The Deadly Boyz', 'The Deadleyz', 'Brother Ray Deadly' and 'Devon Deadly' after they left WWE, and WWE managed to stop them using the names in TNA because they were too close to the Dudleyz?

I don't know the specifics off the top of my head, but they were blocked from several names by threat of legal action.

I want to know what moron thought they could get away with "The Deadlyz."

Maybe Rhyno, Tazzzz, and Rey Mysterio, Jr.

[TerranRich]

It's things like WWE's overzealous trademark-guarding that makes me glad some wrestlers use their real names (or similar variants thereof).

And if stars like Ryan Braddock et al ever became huge, and then wanted to leave WWE, they'd be pretty much screwed as far as recognition goes.