Bullshit, the scope of possible names is practically infinite.
Even if actual words and sensible letter permutations run out, you can start borrowing from outside of software and have much less chance of confusion. Nike, Adidas, NYC, Rolex. The industry is different and there is no commerce involved so no grounds for trademark violation.
There are two reasons to collide with another OSS project: basic laziness to do a quick google search before you settle on a name or desire to benefit from preexisting search traffic.
> you can start borrowing from outside of software and have much less chance of confusion. Nike, Adidas, NYC, Rolex.
This is objectively not true.
> The industry is different and there is no commerce involved so no grounds for trademark violation.
Nike, Inc. have US trademarks in Nice class 9: 97095855 & 97096366. Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. have a class 9 and class 42 US trademark: 97655284. adidas AG have a class 9 EU trademark: 006703086. etc, etc.
Besides, these brands are so well known that I'm certain you'd be challenged even if it was a different trademark class.
Trademark is not a globally reserved word. If you are not doing commerce in relevant area that there can be confusion (or you don't imitate the logo), you are free to use it. This is basic free speech.
Besides Orca is a registered trademark used by multiple class 9 businesses, now what.
Okay I give you that. Of course it requires market and commerce, or it would be at odds with free speech. But I see how in this scenario this Orca may want to sell stuff later (like some OSS does these days) so that would be a problem for them.
But... how that makes it OK to go to collide with a venerable OSS project? Because Gnome won't sue? The scope of words that are not registered or considered these strong trademarks is still nearly infinite!
Even if actual words and sensible letter permutations run out, you can start borrowing from outside of software and have much less chance of confusion. Nike, Adidas, NYC, Rolex. The industry is different and there is no commerce involved so no grounds for trademark violation.
There are two reasons to collide with another OSS project: basic laziness to do a quick google search before you settle on a name or desire to benefit from preexisting search traffic.