Trademark Search

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:14 pm

Has anyone ever used the website provided by the US government to see if a trademark was in use or even existed? I have been trying, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me -- of course, I am trying to find a very specific thing to see if it can be used or not, for my hoping SIEGE spin-off company. Maybe I should just get it all drawn up and then take it to a lawyer, but I'd rather not pay for that.

Hmm, is Mac still around? Hehe.

Foxroe · Post by **Foxroe** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:38 pm

You mean the site that gets you something like this:

Quote:
Word Mark: SIEGE ENGINE

Goods and Services: (ABANDONED) IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: recording disc's and cassette tapes for music reproduction. FIRST USE: 19960920. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19960920

Mark Drawing Code: (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM

Serial Number: 75174206

Filing Date: September 30, 1996

Current Filing Basis: 1A

Original Filing Basis: 1A

Owner: (APPLICANT) Williams, David Orion INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P O Box 70 (22960 El Camino Real) Santa Margarita CALIFORNIA 93453

Type of Mark: TRADEMARK

Register: PRINCIPAL

Live/Dead Indicator: DEAD

Abandonment Date: November 9, 1997

What are you looking for specifically?

Oh yeah, and Mac is still around. Owned by some "Jobs" character...
-Fox

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:42 pm

In the interest of self-preservation, I don't think I'll publically disclose what trademark I am interested in establishing, if it can be. However, I do have more information: apparently, one can pay $350 and wait 6 months, and they will look up the concept and let you know if it can be used. After that, I believe there is another charge to get it "set." Damn. This is going to be a lot more expensive than I had thought... we shall see what can be done.

Coleston the Cavalier · Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:12 pm

I asked the same questions back a few months ago when I started BHP. I used the free web search on the website and nothing came up anywhere close tot he name I wanted to use. I also did extensive googling and such searches to see if anyone was using the names I needed.

I would think that as long as your company/product names are quite unique (surely your's will) you shouldn't have any problem. I was told that after extensive searches, to just start using my trademarks everywhere you can (especially on the internet) so that it becomes clear that it is your trademarks.

"Paying" for your trademarks may not be necessary. I'd ask a few publishing companies what they did first.

But, I'm no lawyer.
_________________

John Adams

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:39 pm

Yes.. starting up a publishing company costs money. Shocking isn't it? ^_~`
_________________
"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:49 pm

No, it is not shocking as far as starting the business goes, but the costs for just a trademark search - that is rather excessive, but, I guess expected seeing from where it originates. At least the artwork will be affordable -- printing, I am not sure about, but will not be PoD most likely. But, as of this moment, I am basically just looking and covering what I can, and what I must, so it is done and I can stop needing to care.

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:50 am

You dont have to register a trademark is it is unique enough.

ie. Amazon for books

The only reason why you would want to do TM something is if you're hardcore going to do the business and you rather not have to deal with any future issues around your business name. ie. It helps you in court.

If you print material using your publishing company without a trademark but it gets circulated around and people use your stuff. You have justification in court as well as the standard copyright protection.

Still if you're planning to actually run and operate a full fledge business I would suggest you TM to cover your butt. But what I'm saying is that you dont have to.

--- then again I'm from Canada so things may be different AND i'm not a IP lawyer either.

Just what I can remember when I did a young entrepreneur commpetition a while back.
_________________
Big Iron Vault Your friendly neighbourhood gaming magazine. Check out our new webcomic, The Heindrich Project!

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:21 pm

Well, considering I am not Troll Lord Games, and I will be having permission to use other trademarked items, I feel it is paramount to cover myself, and the Trolls. And, the intent, if possible, is to make this as much a "business" as I can, within the limits of my ability and availability. I would prefer to be "safe" even if it is "not needed."

Frost · Post by **Frost** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:53 pm

Ser, I work with intellectual property all the time, although mainly with patents. Shoot me a PM and let me know more of what you had in mind (you don't have to tell me the TM). I'll see if I can be of any help.

If you'd like to see my background, here is my LinkedIn profile:
Frost's LinkedIn profile
_________________
Lord Frost

Baron of the Pitt
Castles & Crusades Society
The Dungeoneering Dad