Chris Crocker name copyright?

Question

Is Chris Crocker's (the internet celebrity who needs to get help) stage name copyrighted?

Because I have an online cartoon in the works and wish to parody, but I'm not sure if I can use his name or not.

And I don't want fans who don't want his name to be parodied answering this, I want somebody who actually has legal experience.

Answer 1

Names are not subject to copyright protection.  

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.ht...

However, a name can be protected by trademark if the name is used in commerce as a source of goods or services.  There may be other issues with using a celebrity's name, such as your state's right of publicity law.  Even assuming trademark infringement, parody may be a defense to trademark infringement given the proper set of facts.