How do I start a clothing line. I need to know where do I go to get the name copywritten?

Question

I need to know how do I start my clothing line. I have a name I just need to get it trademarked or copywritten so I can start. Please don't give me a website I need to know exactly who to call and what to say. I live in WASHINGTON DC so I need to find a place near there to get it taken care of. PLEASE HELP ME!!

The guy who wrote me with the second answer how do I get a LLC?

Answer 1

You wouldn't copyright it. Copyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few.

To protect a business name within your industry, you would apply for a trademark.

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.

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.

To register a trademark, that's done either through 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 (OR are planning to conduct) business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

A-line Clothing

Answer 3

The trademarking process is really quite long, and could be expensive. Your best bet would be to hire an attorney to take care of this for you. I have worked in the garment industry for many years, and for many large companies, so I am confident that you really do not need to have a trad mark to operate, unless you are working with a specific logo, and even then it is optional. You may wish to begin your line without a trad mark, wich is very common. You may also start the trad marking process while the line is already in production.

If all you are protecting is your name, then you should register that name as your company name when forming your LLC, Corp, or proprietorship. This will protect you from any legal action, and this will protect your name from infringment.

The best advice I could give you, is that you should start an LLC or a partnership, and get a tax id# asap, as many vendors (factories, printers, suppliers) will not even speak with you if you do not have this. As soon as your tax ID comes through register for an RN number, as you will need this to create and manufacture your label.

Let me know if you need any other help.

Answer 4

You MUST go to the US Trademark and Patents site and file it.

http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

Or you can call and have the forms snailmailed to you.

800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000
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Answer 5

Try Bernard Dietz. I've heard of him. He is a good guy. Maybe he can help.
http://www.dietzlawfirm.com/index.htm