[Hidden-tech] Copyrighting my name?

Maria Trombly maria at tromblyltd.com
Wed Nov 19 11:30:03 EST 2008


You can't copyright a name -- you can't even copyright a book title. You
also can't copyright an idea. You can only copyright a particular expression
of an idea -- a poem, a story, a book.

You can trademark a company name or product name. And you have to protect
your trademark in cases where it may seem that people are impinging on your
product.

For example, you trademark Smith & Associates as a manure consulting firm,
then when another manure consulting firm sets itself up as "Smith &
Associates," you might have a case -- there is the possibility of customers
getting confused. But if someone sells Granny Smith apples, there's nothing
you can do.

You also have to do a prior use search. If the name or logo you're trying to
trademark is already in use, or is common public phrase, there is nothing
you can do. The best you can do is come up with a fancy logo to go with the
name and trademark the combination of name and logo.

-- Maria

On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 10:22 PM, DAVID F. FARKAS <david at farkas.com> wrote:

>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>  You don't (can't) 'copyright' a name, you can trademark or servicemark
> it. Copyrighting is for more 'substantial' works (stories, articles,
> poems, songs, musical pieces, computer programs, plays, and so on).
>
>
>         I understand that's the idea but I recall folks copyrighting their
> names as a ploy to keep the government from issuing documents using it.
> That's not the reason I want to do it, but you get the idea.
>
>         Ay time someone uses your copyrighted name they would need
> permission. You only have to enforce that a few times to make people pay
> attention and check with you before doing anything. <chkl>
>
>         Trademark may well be what I need, but a quick look at the govt
> site made it sound like a trademark / servicemark needs to be a logo. I just
> want to protect use of / brand the name.
>
>         Thanx.
>         David
>
>  ------------------------------
> * LOVE is the Renewable Resource * DAVID  FRANKLIN  FARKAS
> www.HouseHealing.com <http://www.househealing.com/>
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-- 
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maria Trombly | TROMBLY LTD
Covering securities, payments and technology for the world's top trade
magazines
Work: 413-323-4356 | Cell: 413-559-9055 | maria at tromblyltd.com
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