If you came up with a slogan for a tshirt, should you have it copyrighted? How can you copyright your product?

Answer 1

A "slogan" probably cannot be copyrighted, although a piece of artwork can. If it's a brand name, like "American Eagle" or truly a "slogan" like "Just Do It," then those things are trademarked.

The differences:
Copyrights protect creative expression-- thus there must be some form of something that is "original" with the author, have a minimal bit of "creativity" and be "fixed in a tangible medium." Copyrights last for the life of the author + 70 years, or for 95 years if the author is an insitution. (Titles, facts, and things without minimal originality cannot be copyrighted generally)

A trademark protects consumer confusion and goodwill a business has developed in its names and slogans. Trademarks can be enforced perpetually, so long as the mark is still being used in interstate commerce. Trademarks do not stand alone "in gross," but rather must be used in connection with particular goods and services. I.e. "Just Do It" for athletic shoes; "McDonalds" for fast food restaurant services; "Pepsi" for carbonated beverages.

A copyright is fairly easy to get IF the work falls into the particular scope of protection -- you just send in a sample, fill out a form, pay some money, and you can get a copyright registration. More information is available at http:///www.copyright.gov.

A trademark is slightly more involved; someone at the United States Patent and Trademark Office will "examine" your trademark and the class of goods you apply for to see if there are other similar marks or your class of goods is not descriptive enough. They also cost more and take more time. You CAN apply for a trademark yourself, but having a lawyer do it is a better idea.

http://www.uspto.gov

(EDIT: A "poor man's copyright" does NOTHING for you, except MAYBE give you a small piece of evidence as to the date that you created the thing (which you could also prove by testimony of people who know, a journal, a file creation date on your computer, etc.) Copyright rights attach once you create the thing and "fix" it in a "tangible medium." But to get many of the advantages of the copyright act (like statutory damages, attorneys fees, and other penalties if someone infringes) you need to register BEFORE the infringing activity occurs (and best, BEFORE you "publish" your work.))

Answer 2

They say that a poor man's copyright involves mailing the material to yourself and not opening the envelope once you recieve it back. The postmark on the envelope proves that you had the idea/wrote the things at least before the date of the mailing.

Answer 3

truthfully they do and that i've got in no way offered any pirated products from Lebanon, while ever i desire some thing Icontinual only 5min and circulate to Virgin MegaStores which has each and every thing.

Answer 4

one time my face got all muddy and i wiped it off on some guys yellow t-shirt. he made a fortune on my face print

Answer 5

Bush? Don't blame me! I didn't vote for HIM!