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May 2012. I found the website very easy to use and the information contained on the website to be informative which made the process very simple. I did not deal with anyone in person as I didn't need to due to the excellent website. Emails have been received promptly. Thank you.
Leeann, Spondon, Derby
5. Copyright and trade mark protection of names
People’s names aren’t protected by copyright or trade mark. So if you want to change your name to Meryl Streep, for example, you can.
However you can’t use your new name if it results in passing-off or deception. For example, if you changed your name to Michael Jackson and you published songs in that name, you would find yourself subject to legal action by the Jackson Family for trade mark infringement on the grounds that you are passing yourself off as him.
Also, because people’s names aren’t protected by copyright or trade mark, a man can’t prevent his ex-wife from continuing to use his surname after divorce (unless his ex-wife is deceiving people or companies into believing she is still married to him).
Please read section 6 if you are considering changing your name to a trademarked name.
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Sections in this article
Click on the links below to view each section of this article.
1. Name restrictions
2. Characters we can print on our Deed Poll documents
3. Title restrictions
4. Fun names
5. Copyright and trade mark protection of names
6. Applying for a passport in a fun or trademarked name
7. Limits on the number of characters in a name
This page was last checked today by Amanda Dawson, Senior Deed Poll Officer.
