[duxup]

I think this is lawyer consultation time.

My biggest concern would be that if it has brand recognition there is value there and if there is value ... it is likely that someone might feel they still own it, and maybe only after you get some success.

I like the idea of asking but asking the right person might be more of a confusing thing depending on whomever was involved in the past endeavor. Someone might ok it... but are they the right someone?