Israeli changes his name to Mark Zuckerberg

JERUSALEM— Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, meet your Israeli doppelganger: Mark Zuckerberg.

Israeli entrepreneur Rotem Guez says he has legally changed his name to that of Facebook’s CEO, a gimmick meant to persuade the social networking site to back down from what he says are threats to take legal action against him.

He’s telling Facebook: “If you want to sue me, you’re going to have to sue Mark Zuckerberg.”

He says a lawyer for Facebook pressed him this week to close his online business Like Store, calling it illegal. Like Store promises to enhance companies’ online reputations by offering Facebook users free content only accessible by clicking “like” on the companies’ profiles.

The Israeli acknowledged on Saturday his company violates Facebook’s terms of use, but says many U.S. companies offer similar services.

Facebook declined to comment specifically on the name change, but said it was going after those who violate the company’s terms as part of efforts to protect users.