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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JohnRTroy" data-source="post: 5079937" data-attributes="member: 2732">Well, I am trying to be informed.  I spent last night reading the entire link I showed above.You can use your own name, but there can be objections based on other factors.First, in the US, you can't register a trademark that is solely based on a surname.  There's a whole <a href="http://tess2.uspto.gov/tmdb/tmep/1200.htm#_T1211" target="_blank">set of rules</a> on that.  So, your Trademark can't be simply "Newman".  If you weren't careful, having a salad dressing might imply <a href="http://tess2.uspto.gov/tmdb/tmep/1200.htm#_T120303e" target="_blank">False Suggestion of a Connection</a>.  They might also object due to the Fame Factor, or the <a href="http://tess2.uspto.gov/tmdb/tmep/1200.htm#_T120701dix" target="_blank">Fame of the Mark</a>.  Of course, I have no idea what the rules are in the UK and/or if Newman's stuff is as popular there as it is here.  I can bet the names Trump and Disney might be much more protected due to their use in commerce.  And keep in mind I'm talking about Federal Registered Trademark, and not necessarily common-law interpretations.As you teach TM Law in the UK, I'd be happy to see any links or any quotes from the sources that you find from your interpretation.  After all, one of the things we're all her to do is learn more information.  I'm always willing to learn the facts.</blockquote>