IDEM SONANS

idem sonans (I-dem soh-nanz), adj.[Latin] (Of words or names) sounding the same, regardless of spelling <the names Gene and Jean are idem sonans>. • In trademark law, the term designates a name that sounds close enough to a registered trademark to create confusion among consumers and infringe that mark, so the Steinway company was able to prevent a competitor from registering “Steinberg” for the name of its pianos.

“The names of parties should be correctly spelled, but misspelling which does not change the sound works no harm; it matters not how incorrectly names are spelled, if they are idem sonans (the same sound).” Edwin E. Bryant, The Law of Pleading Under the Codes of Civil Procedure 186 (2d ed. 1899).

idem sonans (I-dem soh-nanz), n.[Latin] A legal doctrine preventing a variant spelling of a name in a document from voiding the document if the misspelling is pronounced the same way as the true spelling. [Cases: Names 16.C.J.S. Names § 4.]

[Blacks Law 8th]