I can understand that SKU should be unique but why the item name ?
There are a lot of users that need to have items with same names as the stock is non-replenishing such as rolls of fabrics etc, or even where the production batch is essential.
I have written some code to facilitate this by using 2 custom fields - a check box & an auto increment field.
If anyone would like to have the code then just say & I'll be happy to let you have it !