TL-DR - the content and specific, unique character of a name can be IP protected in most western civilization jurisdictions, but the simple use of the name can not
Aside from the rather massive differences in legal status depending on jurisdiction for all sorts of matters, including copy and trademarks discussed here - putting that aside for the moment and speaking purely in general ->
Most states, countries, etc that we'd loosely characterize as 'western civilization' shares the common concept that you can protect the IP of a unique character (within the time range allowed for by that jurisdiction and with wildly differing terms for renewal and protected period duration), but not the simple use a name that does not otherwise denote any other information upon which to derive which person, place or thing you refer to.
Perhaps there may come a day when the lunacy of IP laws flex enough to allow literal protection of simple name devoid of any specific character reference, but until then, anyone, any company is free to use the names of 'famous people' because the defense is that -quite literally - the named object is not Michael Jackson the famous musician, but Michael Jackson the not so famous space pilot, pet rock or unicorn.
Aside from the rather massive differences in legal status depending on jurisdiction for all sorts of matters, including copy and trademarks discussed here - putting that aside for the moment and speaking purely in general ->
Most states, countries, etc that we'd loosely characterize as 'western civilization' shares the common concept that you can protect the IP of a unique character (within the time range allowed for by that jurisdiction and with wildly differing terms for renewal and protected period duration), but not the simple use a name that does not otherwise denote any other information upon which to derive which person, place or thing you refer to.
Perhaps there may come a day when the lunacy of IP laws flex enough to allow literal protection of simple name devoid of any specific character reference, but until then, anyone, any company is free to use the names of 'famous people' because the defense is that -quite literally - the named object is not Michael Jackson the famous musician, but Michael Jackson the not so famous space pilot, pet rock or unicorn.
