Why was "Vanilla Ice" localized as "Cool Ice"?


In the **Stardust Crusaders** series, the antagonist [Vanilla
Ice](http://jojo.wikia.com/wiki/Vanilla_Ice) is localized into English as
"Cool Ice". There's also the renaming of [Steely
Dan](http://jojo.wikia.com/wiki/Steely_Dan) to "Dan of Steel". Is it due to
possible copyright/trademark infringements? Or is there another reason,
artistic license?




I found a page from the US Government's Patent and Trademark Office that
explains when a musician can trademark a name. <http://www.uspto.gov/learning-
and-resources/ip-policy/musicians-and-artists-profile>, under **Registering a
Name** :

> Sometimes musicians and artists want to register their name as a trademark,
> including a stage name or pseudonym. If the mark appears to be a person’s
> name, then there are additional requirements for the application. If the
> name is an actual name (including a nickname or stage name) of any living
> individual, then the person’s consent to the use and registration of the
> name must be included in the application file. See TMEP 813 & 1206.03. If
> the mark does not refer to a living individual, but could be interpreted as
> a name (e.g., a band name that looks like a person’s name), then a statement
> that the mark is not a living individual must be in the application file.
> See TMEP 813.01(b). In addition to the consent requirement, applications
> seeking to register a performer’s name as a trademark must include evidence
> that the mark appears on at least two different works (e.g., multiple CD
> covers). See TMEP 1202.09(a). Applications seeking to register a name as a
> service mark must show a use in connection with the service, and not merely
> the artist’s name or the name of the group. See TMEP 1301.02(b). However, an
> artist’s name or pseudonym affixed to an original work of art (sculptures,
> paintings, jewelry), need not show use in connection with a series. See TMEP
> 1202.09(b).

I couldn't find any specific source saying that Vanilla Ice and Steely Dan
were trademarked, but it seems likely they are. (So we should really write
Vanilla Ice™ and Steely Dan™.) The names have appeared on several CD covers,
so that clause is covered; and it seems unlikely that the actual name of any
living person is "Vanilla Ice" or "Steely Dan". (But even if there was a
"Vanilla Thaddeus Ice" living in Gary, Indiana, the kind of money that a major
record label used to be able to command could probably convince him to give
permission for the trademark.)

The US fair use laws do list parodies as a protected class of work, so
according to what little I know of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and fair use law,
it could probably be argued in court that this is a parody and therefore a
protected usage. But I imagine the translators wanted to avoid any risk of
going to court to argue about this, so they voluntarily changed the names.

