I am starting an online t-shirt website and I am wondering if it is possible to copyright funny phrases on that I put on my t-shirts? I heard that this was not legally possible, but I saw some other t-shirt website claim that if anyone tried to copy their saying/slogans that they would get sued. I have copywritten the artwork that I did. If this is possible, how would I go about doing it? Also, if I write some phrase in a certain font, if I get the artwork copywritten, then can nobody else do that phrase in that particular font?
2006-06-26 12:12:43 · 6 answers · asked by originale_tees 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That would actually be a trademark and NOT a copyright.
Trademarks can be names of products or services, logos, slogans, packaging and even sounds and smells. In essence, a trademark can be almost anything that is used to identify a particular product or service. Registering a trademark grants the owner exclusive rights to the mark within the specified industry.
Of course, it's necessary to research the mark comprehensively prior to filing to ensure that there is no possibility of infringing upon another party.
To register a trademark, contact either your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.
If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.
Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.
This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-06-27 05:05:36 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If somebody makes another t-shirt with your copyrighted saying on it; are you gonna sue him? Copyright is a waste of time UNLESS you are a big company & can do the lawyer thing! For example, you put out a white shirt that says, "I Love You Baby" or w/e, and I decide to make a black t-shirt that says, "I Love You Christina" or w/e. Will you sue me? If you do you'll be wasting time, energy & money on frivolous BS! Anyway no way in hell did you make up the saying, it's all been said before!!!
http://www.total-knowledge.com/~willyblues/
2006-06-26 12:40:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to go to a lawyer that specializes in copyrights. You can't just put on your site that the work is copyrighted if it's not been done legally.
2006-06-26 12:22:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course you can. thats what copyrighting and trademarking are all about. as long as its not already taken it's all yours
2006-06-26 12:20:36 · answer #4 · answered by deftlychillin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CHECK THE INTERNET WEB SITE FOR PATENT AND COPYRIGHT ,THEY WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR.KEEP TRYING AND GOOD LUCK
2006-06-26 12:17:35 · answer #5 · answered by mak_nit_crimson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-06-26 12:35:01 · answer #6 · answered by idontkno 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋