NAME CHANGE: RALF TO RUSH

Thai language men's magazine Ralf has changed its name to Rush.
The title, which was launched in September 2009, came to the attention of Australian publishing company ACP Magazines, the publishers of leading men's magazine Ralph. In September I blogged how I felt Plus One Media, the publishers of Thai Ralf, might face problems because of their use of an incredibly similar name, font, style and concept to the Australian edition. That now appears to have happened.
The January edition of Rush makes no mention of any legal problems. It says the name change has happened in an attempt to make the title appealing to foreign publishers who might want to license the title. If that happens it would be the first home grown title to achieve an overseas license, but surely it would just be easier for a publisher to copy an existing successful magazine concept and just give it a new name?