Names of Coffee- Legal or not?

[m962b]

I have a very small, nearly blog like coffee company that focuses on vinyl records and small batch coffee beans. I have tried a few different names for my coffee, other than the name of the origin itself. Before i print labels and go much further, does anyone know the legality of using the following names?

Frank Sumatra
French Press of Bel Air
Bitches Brew
Bolivia Newton John

and any others?

Most of these are available from Hot Box roasters, so In some respects i am stealing their names, which i am not sure they own.

Further, If any of you have any other ideas......


Thanks,

Mike

 

[ensoluna]

I do not know about "legality", but personally, I like Bitches Brew. Love Miles Davis.

 

[Mr.Peaberry]

Certainly there is an issue with using a celebrity likeness or name derivative. Legalities aside, were the estate of Frank Sinatra, for instance, or the celebrity, as in the case of Olivia Newton John, to take issue with this your use of their name, they are entitled to bring legal action against you. Whether or not you prevail is NOT as important, in my opinion, as the fact that you will needlessly spend money defending yourself...maybe a lot of money if you lose and have to pay their legal costs. We all know how McDonald's is regarding their name, right? Well I recall reading that a family owned restaurant in the midwest had to change their name from something like MacDonald's Family Restaurant, even though that was the families' actual name. Ben & Jerry named a flavor "Cherries Garcia", but I believe that they paid a royalty for that privilege.

Having said this...I'm still rolling about the Bolivia Newton John name...LOL! That would be worth paying royalties on. Just sayin'

Peaberry

 

[JumpinJakJava]

Kenya Just Brew Me Some!

 

[Mr.Peaberry]

You Brew It!

 

[namballe]

how about starbart's. i've seen that one in a remote jungle village in Peru.

 

[Nugget]

Domo Arigato, Mr. Robusto?
dark blend: blackie Onassis

 

[CoffeeQuill]

Could you use a coffee painting for your vlog? (paintings made with just coffee)

 

[saeednri]

I like it. its legal