[tigertiger]

Hey guys,

I just finished my design on one of my new shirts in the line I am launching for Tiger, Tiger Clothing Co. The shirt is mostly text and I want to protect the "slogan" because I really think I am on to something!!!

Should I get the words TM or Copyrighted? I am really confused which is better to protect this slogan.. Also should I use LEGAL ZOOM?

 

[splathead]

Slogan would be trademark.

Legalzoom is one way to get it done. You're basically paying them to fill out the application for you.

Before you go too far, have you searched to make sure your slogan is not already taken?

 

[perrolocodesigns]

Correct. It would be a Trademark. Slogans are not eligible for Copyright. Be prepared to pay upwards of $450 per class of goods you want to protect. You can do a quick search at USPTO.gov to give you an idea if the phrase is already protected.

 

[tigertiger]

Correct. It would be a Trademark. Slogans are not eligible for Copyright. Be prepared to pay upwards of $450 per class of goods you want to protect. You can do a quick search at USPTO.gov to give you an idea if the phrase is already protected.

thanksss!!! the search didn't come up with anything conflicting.. if i am doing it right?

 

[CandyFloss]

TM is the way to go if it's the slogan you're after. I know a couple of people that did not want to cash out a bunch of loot for the lawyer to fill out paper work, so what they did was pay them to search in the database, to make sure that they are covered, and then did the paper work themselves. A great resource is to view other registered trademarks that are in the same vicinity as yours on USPTO.gov, and see how they do it. The phrasing is of the most importance, you know legal talk, so I would study how others worded similar marks. To be totally honest with you, I would roll out your idea first, and see how it does, before investing a whole bunch of money on registering the trademark. There is so little you can do to protect it, it being very difficult to stop others from stealing your idea, that I would see if what you're onto is really worth the money first, then try to register the mark. Not saying that it's not important to try to portect your ideas, but I would see if it's really worth investing the money first. I know a ton of people that spent so much money on things like legalities before they even started their venture, that many of them said that they wish they would have spent more time and money on working on their idea and not so much on protecting the idea.

 

[pwapparel]

For trademarks you have to prove that it is the "image" for the company or product line. They will expect you to use it on all the applicable products as well. If this 'slogan' is just simply words that will be used on that shirt design only, then you can use copy right to protect the design (slogan included)