The copyright of dopefish

hi to all...
im making a music band...
and we think to call it "dope fish"...
is it illegal?
is the name "dope fish" under copyrigth?
can a band have a nam under copyrigth?
tnx

[Joe Siegler]

Originally Posted by spocchio

is the name "dope fish" under copyrigth?

id Software owns Dopefish technically, as it's a character in one of their properties.

[Kristian Joensen]

Originally Posted by spocchio

hi to all...
im making a music band...
and we think to call it "dope fish"...
is it illegal?
is the name "dope fish" under copyrigth?
can a band have a nam under copyrigth?
tnx

I think what you are interested in known about is trademarks and trademark law. Trademarks cover the names of products wheter they are goods or services, wikipedia defines trademarks as such:

A trademark or trade mark[1] is a distinctive sign of some kind which is used by a business to uniquely identify itself and its products and services to consumers, and to distinguish the business and its products or services from those of other businesses. A trademark is a type of industrial property which is distinct from other forms of intellectual property.

(Source)

Trademarks may be either registered or unregistered. Trademarks have categories they apply to, for instace two or more different companies may own the same trademark, one in the field of software and another in the field of clothes and yet a third in the field of cars.

The above is just an example. However if you are serious about this and really want to call your band dopefish you should see a lawyer and/or ask id Software for premission. You could also to a search on the homepage of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

But be aware that the online database might not be updated and that it doesn't cover unregistered trademarks.