What's in a Name? The Pop Diva Versus the Porn Star

""Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; But he that filches from me my good name, robs me of that which not enriches him; And makes me poor indeed." ? William Shakespeare. How true is that? "After threatening legal action to protect her valuable name from an encroaching porn star, Mariah Carey yesterday filed a formal opposition to the bid by actress (and former California gubernatorial candidate) Mary Carey to trademark her stage name. In a notice filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the pop singer's company, Automatic Princess Holdings, argues that Mary Carey's bid to trademark her name for use in adult films, DVDs, cassettes, computer programs, and other commercial endeavors is likely to result in confusion for the consumer. The public, Mariah Carey contends, is ?likely to mistakenly associate the goods offered? by Mary Carey--whose real name is Mary Cook--with the performer's ?goods and services'.""