All You Need is …. A Trademark?
From the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: Are you a solo performer? A member of a band? Do you want nationwide protection for your name?
As your music grows in popularity, so does your need to help consumers identify you as the source of your unique sound. One way to do that is by registering your name as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Federal registration provides nationwide benefits that you can use to enforce your trademark rights. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office provides the answers to many frequently asked questions regarding musical trademarks, such as:
What happens to a trademark if the band’s drummer, Pete is replaced by a new drummer, Ringo?
Can you object if a proposed mark is likely to cause confusion with your protected mark?
Which goods or services are used in connection with your mark?
In addition to obtaining trademarks, musical artists should consider forming a limited liability company to protect their assets or filing federal copyright applications to preserve rights in individual works. Contact our office today if we can be of assistance with these or other legal matters related to your music.