Companies called "Isis" ponder a name change

LONDON , Sept. 5 (UPI) -- The name of militant group Islamic State, typically reduced to "ISIS" by journalists and world leaders, is conflicting with business plans for firms with "Isis" in their corporate names.

The Islamic State's reputation for violence and anti-Western rhetoric conflicts with Isis Wallet, a Florida condominium company called ISIS Downtown, the Isis Innovation business of Britain's Oxford University and others worldwide.

"The widespread, persistent use of the acronym Isis to refer to this terrorist organization continues to cause considerable confusion and is causing reputational harm to the many organizations and entities that also use this acronym," wrote the Washington-based research organization Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) on its website this week.

The name Isis -- taken from that of an Egyptian goddess whose mythological reputation includes motherhood and resurrection -- is a trademark of a line of bras sold by the Ann Summers lingerie company, which has apologized for "any offence caused" by confusion between its wares and the Islamic State.

Isis Wallet, a payment plan venture by three U.S. cellphone companies, announced this week it will change its name to Softcard. CEO Michael Abbott said, "We wanted a name that brought to life our company and our values. However coincidental, we have no desire to share a name with this group and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence."

Isis fragrances are still sold in Britain's Marks & Spencer Department store, and Isis Pharmaceuticals called the situation "unfortunate, but we've been in business for 25 years."