Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

rpstro02 · Post by **rpstro02** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:03 am

Hey all,
I am thinking of writing a sample based MiniMoog App for the iPhone. (I think there already is one or two, but just for fun). If I release it in the App Store, what are the legalities behind using the term MiniMoog? I've noticed other sample-based software like Reason never uses the word MiniMoog even when it's obvious that's what they're going for. I am sure I can't call the program MiniMoog. But can I say I sampled from the MiniMoog? Does anyone know?

Esus · Post by **Esus** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:59 pm

The worst that could happen is that you'll get some kind of cease-and-desist order from Moog. Maybe nothing will happen. But the fact that you're inquiring about the legality says something about whether you should use the name at all.

My 2¢

Post by **cornutt** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:10 pm

Moog Music almost certainly has "Minimoog" registered as a tradement. They'd be fools if they didn't. What a lot of the soft-synth writers do is come up with a name that's similar enough that the knowledgable customer knows what it's about, but without violating the trademark. "Oddity" and "M-Tron", for example. You might considering calling your app something like "Mini-M".

Esus · Post by **Esus** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:17 pm

If those software manufacturers do use the name, they doubtless pay some kind of royalty for commercial use.
Intellectual Property, you know...

Gamma Goblin · Post by **Gamma Goblin** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:35 pm

Just change the name to "MiniMoo" and make the GUI look like a cow with knobs on it. Problem solved!!! : )

Johnny Lenin · Post by **Johnny Lenin** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:18 pm

MiniMogue?

xpander · Post by **xpander** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:21 pm

i personally don't see why you couldn't use the name minimoog in describing the source of the samples, it's seems like pretty fair game given the nature of it's use. i'd definitely include a disclaimer stating that Moog Music does not endorse the product. however, it gets murkier if you were to use the name in the App Store description, where its inclusion may be perceived as a means of promoting your product.

you can always contact Moog Music and tell them what you're up to and what you want to do. if they give you a green light, you'll be pretty well off.

organsymphony · Post by **organsymphony** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:34 am

Gamma Goblin wrote:Just change the name to "MiniMoo" and make the GUI look like a cow with knobs on it. Problem solved!!! : )

YES YES YES YES YES

modular · Post by **modular** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:37 am

You can call it MiniBoob and then use as knobs little.... oh, nevermind.

Post by **cornutt** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:49 am

xpander wrote:you can always contact Moog Music and tell them what you're up to and what you want to do. if they give you a green light, you'll be pretty well off.

Actually, that's not a bad idea... maybe go to Moog and see about making it an official Moog product. Then you could call it the iMoog.

killanator · Post by **killanator** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:24 am

you could call it backwards...likke the goominim, or the inimgoom

Johnny Lenin · Post by **Johnny Lenin** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:47 am

Man, I'm lovin' my new Pelttilyttah Egats 2!

Synthaholic · Post by **Synthaholic** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:59 pm

How about Pig Latin. Call it the Inimoogmay.

killanator · Post by **killanator** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:43 am

Or change a couple of letters. the Ninigoom

Post by **wiss** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:53 am

minisynth is already used

Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog

Re: Legalities of using the word MiniMoog