Question

CUIT 3. General Housin nonprofit organiza housing for families 1 Housing Assistance was incorporated as a fit organization that provides low-cost for families who have been economically cated because of the downsizing of a com- v or the outsourcing of jobs. One year after the formation of General Housing Assistance, General Mutual Housing Assistance was incorporated in the same state. General Mutual Housing Assis- tance sold housing shares in condominiums to subscribers. General Mutual ran an aggressive, of- ten obnoxious advertising campaign. After this campaign, General Housing found that people were confusing the two entities. The resulting mix- up damaged General Housing Assistance's image and threatened its charitable funding sources. Con- sequently, it filed suit to stop General Mutual from using the name because of the confusion between the two entities. Are the names similar enough to cause the court to order General Mutual to change its name? Explain. Michael Langham

Answer 1

General Housing assistance was incorporated as a nonprofit organisation that provide low cost housing for families who have been economically dislocated because of downsizing of a company or the outsourcing of jobs.

General Mutual Hosing assistance was incorporated in the same state. They sold housing share in condominiums to subscribers. They run aggressive, often obnoxious advertising campaign. This resulting damage the image of the General housing assistance and threatened its charitable funding sources.

In this case, General Housing assistance can suit to stop General Mutual Hosing assistance from using the name, but only if General Housing assistance has legally establish itself as the copyright owner of the name. General Housing assistance should also have document which reflects the legally establish the date of creation of the company. Hence, you cannot sue someone for infringing your copyright unless your copyright is registered.

Therefore, if General Housing assistance has the copyright of the name of the company, then this copyright provide them the legal and exclusive right to use this name and someone else cannot make a copy of it without General Housing assistance permission.

Now, suppose, if General Housing assistance has the copyright of the the company then any duplication or use of their business name l, which bringing harm to their business, can suit in the court and court can order to change the name of the company.

But, if General Housing assistance do not have the copyright of the name of the company then it is not possible for the court to order to change the name of the other company.