Paul McCartney: lequel?

Macca Report:Will The Real Paul McCartney Please Stand Up?

The lawsuit could be called Paul McCartney vs. Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney of Canton, who runs Armorseal/McCartney Enterprises, a home services business in Simsbury, contacted his lawyer when he learned that Paul McCartney, the British singer, is attempting to trademark the use of his moniker on a line of products ranging from waistcoats to food.

"If he gets the trademark it means I will be severely restricted in the way I use my name," said the Connecticut McCartney. "Right now, I am selling my house and advertising it as the Paul McCartney Estate. If he trademarks the name, I wouldn't be able to use my name that way."

The British McCartney and his company, MPL Communications Ltd., have applied for a British trademark. Anyone who has objections has three months to submit them to the Trademarks Registry in London. The company was originally set up by the former Beatle to handle his recordings after the break-up of the renowned singing group.

Once a trademark is granted, its owners can take action to prevent others from using identical, or even similar, names and logos for commercial purposes.

"It's not even his real his name," said the Canton McCartney, noting that the singer's birth name is James Paul McCartney. "My name really is Paul McCartney.

"And I was Paul McCartney in 1958," said McCartney, referring to his birth date. "He wasn't known as Paul McCartney until years later."

Of course, sharing his name with someone who is famous does have its benefits.

Several years ago, McCartney of Canton says he was mistaken for the singer and received red carpet treatment on a flight from Hartford to Orlando.

McCartney (of Canton) said he is waiting to hear from his lawyer about the possible problems the trademark could cause for him with any future business.

"I don't want to cause any problems," said McCartney, who emphasized he does not sing, though his wife's name is, coincidentally, Linda. "I just don't want to lose the rights to my name."