Posted by cmd_NH on 3/11/06 1:32pm
Msg #104119

O/T...if someone came up with...

a word/logo/slogan for T-Shirts and Sweatshirts and wanted to sell them, does anyone know how one would go about making sure no-one else could steal the idea. I checked the US patent website, but not sure if it would be a patent or trademark or what? Any advise out there? I know this isn't NSA related, but thought someone might steer me in the right direction. TIA

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 3/11/06 2:06pm
Msg #104129

I would think that would be a copyright and trademark issue and you should contact a copyright/trademark attorney. I trademarked my logo and tagline for the notary business and copyrighted my website through a copyright/trademark attorney.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/11/06 2:15pm
Msg #104130

NOLO Press has an excellent handbook for

doing your own trade mark and copyright filings, inlcuding copies of all the documentation. Trademarks a rea lot simpler than copyrights and don't really have to filed to be effective but it is recommended incase you ever relaly have to defend your trademark. I'e done both and the NOLO books are wonderful.

www.nolo.com

Reply by cmd_NH on 3/11/06 6:36pm
Msg #104169

Re: Thank you for the information. I appreciate your input! n/m

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/11/06 9:29pm
Msg #104191

My pleasure CMD, I hate to give legal advice ...

the Trademark and copyright book is written by an attorney who parctices trademark law. It has worked for me and at a price that's about 20 minutes of a good attorney's time. It allows you to do it yourself and goes into some of the tricks of the trade like gettng multiple items trademarked for one price by submitting a collection. Really well worth the time if someone is in the business of creating stuff. I have a recording studio and music production business in one of my other lives and I use the advice regularly. In fact Nolo press has a feature where they will notify you every time their books are updated. I love their service, it has saved me tons of money on evictions, and various other legal needs (in my area attorneys charge $750 for a simple eviction while I do it for just the filing fees of $120).