The son of Indigenous land rights activist Eddie Mabo is involved in a trademark dispute with clothing company Mambo over the right to use his family name for a business.

Malcolm Mabo from Palm Island off Townsville wants to trademark his name for an arts and clothing business incorporating the work of Indigenous artists, but Mambo has lodged an objection.

Mr Mabo says he wants to launch the business on March 3 next year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision.

But he says Mambo is objecting because the names are similar. Mr Mabo says he has a right to use his name to support himself.

"They're saying it's too close to their trade name, Mambo... but I think people obviously can read," he said.

"They'd know the difference because I have a contemporary, traditional design plus my name, so it's easy to be identified."

Mambo managing director Angus Kingsmill says the company just wants to understand where and on what the logo and artwork will be applied.

"We think both names can co-exist very happily," Mr Kingsmill said.

The North Queensland Small Business Development Centre is helping Mr Mabo with legal counsel for the trademark application.

Centre chief executive Brian Arnold says the Mabo name would be an asset for a number of Indigenous business endeavours.

"The trademark will be used for clothing and a variety of other things," he said.

"To be able to use that brand and create, have artwork, different clothing, shoes, shirts... a variety of different things that can be used by Indigenous people across Australia."

Mr Mabo and Mambo are due to discuss the issue next week.