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Can I name my company after a computer science algorithm? Like YC

6 points by mahshidz ↗ HN
How YCombinator did this? Does anything in the law prevent it? Do you have to take permission from the creator of the algorithm?

10 comments

[ 3.5 ms ] story [ 34.9 ms ] thread
heptathorp
Why not? You could name your company after a fruit if you wanted to (as long as there isn't already a company in your industry with that name).
kek918
Who would name their company after a fruit anyway?

Oh wait, never mind

lumberjack
Yes but I think it would then be harder to trademark. .
floppydisk
Trademarks can be industry specific. One could trademark a fruit or algorithm name in the context of a company.
sharemywin
trademark database

http://tmsearch.uspto.gov

you should also check the state you live in. Secretary of state usually manages fictitious trade names

checking domain names is a good proxy also. if no one cared to buy xyz.com then they probably didn't trademark it, etc.

kele
I believe there is a big difference between Y combinator and Dijkstra. In the former case, it could be harder.
mahshidz
Can you elaborate more on this? It is harder to name?
davismwfl
I think the issue is using a generically named algorithm name versus using a persons name that the algorithm is named after could be a different story. In the example, Dijkstra is a surname, ycombinator is essentially just a made up name. So it could be conceivable that the estate or a living person could take issue (legal action) with you using their name. If I really wanted that name, I'd check with an attorney and probably get a release from the estate or living person to utilize their name in my company name, just to avoid any issues.
kimolas
Did you mean "In the latter case"?
kele
Yes, thanks!