# Company and Yoyo Name Intellectual Property Rights

**URL:** <https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777>\
**Category:** General Yo-Yo\
**Created:** [May 24, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777 "2025-05-24T20:16:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SlacKing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@SlacKing](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SlacKing)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777/1 "2025-05-24T20:16:29Z")

</div>

Are yoyo company names and their yoyo names typically protected by copyright/trademark in the U.S.? I know certain design aspects have been patented, but that’s not what I’m discussing here.

One example I know of is when Duncan brought up copyright when YYJ named a yoyo the Dragonfly. From what I understand, they simply felt the name was too close to Butterfly, and they didn’t even have a yoyo with that name at the time. On the other hand, several yoyos have the same name (e.g. Hydrangea and Freshly Dirty both have a Dahlia). I found a comment from YYF Ben suggesting they do practice this with some of their design names.

> [@Bi-metal shutter confirmed](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/bi-metal-shutter-confirmed/307462/73):
>
> yeah we register our significant trademarks. We have both approved this design. Its a shutter but neither of us did the cad, merely the concept. Why no bimetal shutter? dude just won worlds again without it. only 2 people have ever done it with a bimetal. why bother? it needed a point, it needed the story… again, its a story we will enjoy telling, but not today!

That said, I don’t see TMs, ©, or ® after many (if any) model names. Aside from large companies, is it more of a common courtesy to do your research and not use a taken name?

As for companies, I assume most are LLCs, and I plan on reading the RCS guide soon, but any details on this would be appreciated as well. Avoiding an A-RT and ART situation would be good.

Thanks in advance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![yoyospirit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyospirit/32/219875_2.png) [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777/2 "2025-05-24T22:53:48Z")

</div>

Outside of larger companies, most just do not have the financial means to trademark names. And even if they did, they often do not have the financial means to seek out a lawsuit if a company decides to infringe on it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Grunt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grunt/32/679117_2.png) [@Grunt](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grunt)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777/3 "2025-05-25T01:44:38Z")

</div>

> [@SlacKing](#):
>
> From what I understand, they simply felt the name was too close to Butterfly, and they didn’t even have a yoyo with that name at the time.

I was told at the time by Dave Bruner that Duncan held a trademark on the name.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2025, 1:50am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/company-and-yoyo-name-intellectual-property-rights/425777/4 "2025-05-25T01:50:55Z")

</div>

I mean Duncan is owned by a corporation so I imagine they do trademark their stuff fully.