This section of the forum is for discussing the business and finance issues of the t-shirt industry. Which business structure to use (sole proprietor, LLC, S Corp, etc), how to handle billing, where to register your business and get the proper licensing, etc.
Below is a copy of a comment from the thread about tips on starting a clothes brand by Inkscreens and a post by Koscarcbiz. I'm guessing there's an easier way to link into that thread and ask this question, but not sure it would get lost in the pure largeness of that thread. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, it's worthwhile and has a lot of great info in it.
The copy is below and I have a couple of questions about using the copyright process.
February 5th, 2009 Feb 5, 2009 12:11:58 PM - #93 (permalink) -
Koscarcbiz
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Re: Tips of Starting a Clothing Brand
Also when you (C) initially you pay $45. this is a one time fee. For about 20 years of protection. In addition to this you can add to the collection by sending your new designs, literature etc. with your (C) office serial number. I was a dumbass that payed $45 three times in one year before I realized that all of my work could have gone into one box. Knowledge is power and Cost effective.
My questions are: #1 Would using the copyright model, be a good first step to get a documented proof of when you registered your designs. #1a With that in place and your designs having your logo in it, would that also protect your logo, as well, sort of like having a poor mans trademark. #3 Is it really easy as just sending additional designs with your (C) office serial number and how long can you do this before needing to get a new number.
Thanks all, should be great info for a lot of us.
Joe
1 Would using the copyright model, be a good first step to get a documented proof of when you registered your designs
Yes, copyrighting your designs is a good way to show ownership of an original work.
Quote:
#1a With that in place and your designs having your logo in it, would that also protect your logo, as well, sort of like having a poor mans trademark
That's a question for a lawyer I have no idea how well that would hold up in court.
Quote:
#3 Is it really easy as just sending additional designs with your (C) office serial number and how long can you do this before needing to get a new number.
I've never heard of adding works to an existing serial number.
Rodney,
Thanks for the quick answers back. The first two, I felt like I had a somewhat of a grasp of reading this and other info sites. #3 about adding designs to your (c) office serial # was a comment that I had not heard before. It would be great if you didn't have to keep spending additional cash with every set of new designs. Hopefully, Koscarcbiz will jump back in and let us know how he navigated this experience.
If anyone else has any thoughts or info, they should be very useful to everyone.
Thanks again
JOE
#1a With that in place and your designs having your logo in it, would that also protect your logo, as well, sort of like having a poor mans trademark.
Yes. But note that the copyright only protects exactly what's show (i.e., the whole piece of work as is) (==Work 1). So, you couldn't go outside the context and use your logo just by itself (==Work 2) and rely on the copyright (==Work 1) because it is not protected.
Does that make sense?
Keep in mind that you do not have to register your trademark. But, "federal registration has several advantages, including notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark, a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and the exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods or services set forth in the registration." - You can read more at the USPTO office website: Trademark FAQ
Copyrighting question ? 
I have no idea how well that would hold up in court.
