How do I trademark/copyright a name?

[yOyOYoo]

I want to open a restaurant in 4 years.

I have some ideas for the restaurant and would like to copyright/trademark my restaurant name before some company takes it.

How would I go about doing that?

 

[Slick5150]

I'm pretty sure you can't copyright or trademark something that's only in your mind. This business would have to exist in some form

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: PinwiZ
I'm pretty sure you can't copyright or trademark something that's only in your mind. This business would have to exist in some form

Actually - you can. You can copyright anything that isn't taken...It's insane.

 

[yOyOYoo]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: PinwiZ
I'm pretty sure you can't copyright or trademark something that's only in your mind. This business would have to exist in some form

Actually - you can. You can copyright anything that isn't taken...It's insane.

Thats what I understand. Now where would I go to copyright this??

 

[RossMAN]

United States Patent and Trademark Office

 

[Kelvrick]

Hmm... I think I should trademark Kelvrick. Its unique enough, nobody else has this name.

 

[CanOWorms]

I think you have to be actively using it if you want to have a trademark.

 

[Bootprint]

I believe you want to trademark the name, not copyright it.

 

[RossMAN]

Trademarks and Copyrights

 

[yOyOYoo]

thanks for the link RossMAN. Site looks confusing but I will fiddle around with it when I get off work.

 

[Ness]

Jot down the idea in a document, write down every fine point, make some sketches, etc. Copyright that.

You CANNOT trademark it, because trademarking something requires that you are actively using it. A trademark that is not used so many times a year or on a certain percentage of your products/establishments is no longer protected.

 

[shopbruin]

if you want to trademark it or copyright it, and not go through an attorney:

LegalZoom

 

[axelfox]

Go to an IP attorney for easiest way (not necessarily the cheapest).