Is Dio a copyrighted name ?

[Sandman67]

I'm asking this because in The Netherlands, where I live, some rapper has named himself Dio and releases records under that name. If you check his website you will see his logo looks a lot like the Dio logo too. This guy should stop using the name Dio

Check it out
http://www.diomusic.nl/

[DevinMacGregor]

[nunoni]

there's also this Dio - Distraught overlord emo girlie/boy band, currently touring europe under the name Dio.

I reckon it's a case of whether the Dio suits want to take legal action or can't be bothered.

[Holymagica]

Not sure about the US but in the UK,a name has to be trademarked for no one to use it,in the UK the Patent Office oversees the registration of Trade Marks,so really there is no law to stop any band from using the name Dio you can't copyright a band name but you can protect the name with a trademark again you would need to register you name in many different countries but I think under the EU rules you can get a Community Trade Mark which covers all EU Members,design rights have to registered in the same way,for companies like Apple or McDonalds they have to do this all over the world,not sure how much these companies spend on lawyers and Patents but for a band to Patent its name is a waste of time and money simply becoz most trademarks are about services and goods For a world Patent we are talking about 1000s of pounds,also the timeline can take up to 9 months,sometimes longer if there is any objections,so really unless you name is Sony or Apple is it really worth all this cost.

[BigPapaBear]

I don't think Ronnie has anything to "fear" from these bands/artists. They on the other hand will ALWAYS be cofused with Mr. RJD...