How to protect a slogan

[Charlie_]

Worthdoingitright those prices are for web copyright anyway not logos, unless I read it wrong.... But thanks for the input

Charlie

[RogerC]

Unfortunately WDR it's not that simple. Copyright applications have to be looked at to ensure there is no other 'rights' connected with it already. It looks at all images and lettering, whether it is the wording or style of lettering before you get close to obtaining copyright. I looked into this some time ago and believe me it is a long drawn out arduous time consuming process.

That web site appears to have the process sewn up but I doubt it is that easy. It looks like this is just a filing service and the full copyright process is much more involved than that.

[WorthDoingRight]

Worthdoingitright those prices are for web copyright anyway not logos, unless I read it wrong.... But thanks for the input

Charlie

Thanks but the banner on that page clearly states : Filing of copyright on website, script, program, book, poem, logo, design, style, design, music, design, invention, document, brochure, advertising, song lyrics, make, photos, games ...

But as stated you maybe would be better off keeping your money

[Charlie_]

Roger yes it all seemed rather cheap for a full copyright, not that I know the cost of such a thing.

[RogerC]

Thanks but the banner on that page clearly states : Filing of copyright on website, script, program, book, poem, logo, design, style, design, music, design, invention, document, brochure, advertising, song lyrics, make, photos, games ...

But as stated you maybe would be better off keeping your money

It's just that 'filing'. There is a whole lot more to getting copyright. As far as I remember that is the start of the process. You have to detail everything to the smallest detail which is so time consuming and if you get just the smallest thing incorrect the whole process stalls. Hence all the 'big boys' have legal eagles to do this for them.

[Charlie_]

Very much then like a patent, I did one of those in the 70's and it cost over £500 then, so thinks will just play it by ear and hope i get in before others realise.

You advice RogerC confirms really what I thought but was worth asking just in case.

[neilb]

I think there is some confusion over what copyright is.

Copyright is an automatic right that exists from the moment you create a fixed "original work of authorship". For something like a published book it is easy to prove when it was created, for a quick sketch....not so easy and this is what the registration services like those mentioned above serve to do.

A phrase, word or common idea can not be copyrighted, it can however be trademarked which is what I think some people are thinking of.

An easy way to get some evidence of when a work was created is to send a copy to yourself by registered mail and then keep the envelope unopened.

[Charlie_]

Right that seems a big difference, so a phrase can be trademarked quite easilly then ? That you for that piece of info.

[neilb]

A phrase can be trademarked, not necessarily easily though. There are rules about common usage among other things.

[Charlie_]

Right thanks for that looks like plan B then just go for it as it is ...