Writing - Copyrights and Trademarks Protect You

When most people consider writing a book, they don't think about Trademarks. However, I highly recommend that you leverage your writing for multiple purposes, and that's why registering a Trademark for your concept is a good idea. If you use your writing as the basis for workshops and other products, it's in your best interests to protect your concepts with a Trademark.

To paraphrase the definition of a Trademark given at the official web site www.uspto.gov, a Trademark is a symbol, a word, a phrase, or a design, (or any combination), used to identify and distinguish the unique source of goods. Note that a Service Mark has the same definition as a Trademark, except as related to services instead of products.

You are not required to register a Mark. Instead, you can establish your rights to the Mark with a record of legitimate use of it. However, there are several advantages to owning a Mark that is federally registered. The most notable is your premier position if anyone else should attempt to use your Mark after your official registration date.

Regardless of whether you've made an application to the USPTO for a federally registered Mark, you may use the TM and SM symbols any time you claim Mark rights. However, the federal symbol for registration (encircled "R"), may only be used after the USPTO has received your application, processed it, and officially registered your Mark. One more thing to note: the federal registration symbol can only be used in connection with the goods or services that are specifically listed in the federal documents.

Of course, there is a difference among the purposes of Trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Patents protect a inventions. Copyrights protect original literary or artistic work.

Your work is copyright protected under common law when you create it. And by printing the work with the copyright notification included, you have signified your claim to the work. However, to have it officially recorded, you will want to register it with the Copyright Office. Keep in mind that the government does not enforce the copyright. If someone were to infringe, it would be up to you to protect your rights through a civil suit.

Contact the Copyright Office to get the forms. Call 202- 707-3000 and request copyright package 109, or go to the web site, www.loc.gov/copyright and fill out form TX. To register your copyright of a book, take these steps: 1) Print the copyright notice on the copyright page (title page). You may use the word copyright, but "C" in a circle says the same thing and is necessary for international protection. Also, add "All rights reserved." The notice must appear in all copies of the book to protect you. The copyright should be in the name of the owner. 2) Publish the book. 3) Register your claim with the Copyright Office within three months of the book being published.

New copyright duration is for the author's life, plus fifty years. Since your ownership is part of your estate, mention it in your will. Everything is protected by the copyright, (text, graphics, etc.), except titles. Titles can't be copyrighted. However, does the title fit the definition of a Trademark? If so, you can claim it that way. An example: "Chicken Soup for the Soul" is Trademarked because it can't be copyrighted. No one actually would use that title for their own creation, but if it weren't Trademarked, anyone could legally profit from using the phrase to market other products.

Cover all your bases and use the means available to protect your creation. By registering your copyright and your rights in a Mark, the safeguards are prepared if someone tried to use your work as their own.

As a publisher of the "A Guide To Getting It" book series, Marilyn J. Schwader has made a study of topics related to writing. She is contributing author of articles for acorn writing news your premier resource on-line for information on writing. Find the archive of articles at: acorn writing news

cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Recent reports show many common passwords can be cracked in literally seconds. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to strengthen your passwords.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Iron, a robot that stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds, combines advanced artificial intelligence with human-like movement and exceptional vision.
Hertz, the rental car giant, recently confirmed that customer information was exposed through a cyberattack on one of its software vendors.
There are a number of features with AirPods you may or may not know about to take your listening experience to the next level. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
These 35 Chrome extensions have privacy and security concerns. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says to delete them now.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says 329,000 mph fusion rocket promises to be fast, disruptive and enable deep-space missions.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a new autonomous AI is a game changer that also raises privacy risks. Is your data safe?
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says robots and drones are revolutionizing fruit farming with faster picking and smarter handling.
Landmark Admin revises May 2024 cyberattack scope to show twice as many people were affected. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives tips to help stay safe from an insurance data breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard motor could revolutionize boating with zero emissions.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to memorialize or remove a deceased loved one’s Facebook account and protect their digital legacy from misuse or scams.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says an Apple Watch saved psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner by detecting deadly leukemia early.
Scammers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents. Kurt the CyberGuy has safety tips.
Infected USB flash drives can spread malware among multiple organizations in ways that can easily bypass traditional security systems.
With a fully automated warehouse system and AI-powered robots, Ocado's Hive picks, packs and delivers grocery store orders in just a few minutes.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Recycling robots are using artificial intelligence to learn how to sort recyclables by recognizing patterns in colors, textures, shapes and logos.
The Reachy 2 robot is designed to be friendly and approachable, inviting natural interaction and is perfect for research, education and experimenting with embodied AI.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares several easy ways to keep your credit cards safe from digital thieves while you're traveling this summer.
Arcturus sets up cameras around the edges of baseball stadiums to capture real-time action and generate a 3D digital clone of the game.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The CyberGuy explains why healthcare organizations are vulnerable to hackers after there have been a half dozen data breaches this year.
Developed at two California universities, the innovative technology combines brain-computer interfaces with advanced AI to decode neural activity into audible speech.

How To Cut the Clutter and Win Readers

Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More

Whats in a Name? Giving Birth to your Characters

So you've got your plot outlined, a title lined up... Read More

Kick-Start your Juices

Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More

Keeping a Journal - One of the Three Treasures to Leave Behind

(excerpted from the "How to Use a Journal" audio series... Read More

How to Pitch a Story

Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More

That Cute Lil Ol Apostrophe

Have you ever had a student write to tell you... Read More

Permission NOT To Write

Quite a few years ago, I enrolled in a Degree... Read More

Dont Forget That Manual!

No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More

Review of A Classic: Finneys Invasion of The Body Snatchers

To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of... Read More

Writing Secrets You Must Know

Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More

A Few Brief Tips to Deal with Writing Rejection

What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More

Grow Your Ideas Without Letting Words Grow Like Weeds

Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More

5 Effective Web Writing Tips

Writing for the web is very different from writing for... Read More

Unusual Points of View

Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More

Is Someone Plagiarizing Your Work?

About two weeks ago I received an article submissionthat immediately... Read More

How to Create Incredible Characters Easily

Creating incredible characters can be easy if you know of... Read More

The Writing Life

In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect... Read More

How to Relax Your Writing

Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More

Help! I Cant Write!

Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More

The Dreaded Daily Word Count

Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More

Building a Character Wall

For any great novelist, defining your cast of intriguing characters... Read More

Writing for the Internet -- How To Give the Readers What They Want

In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More

Freewriting: A Strategy That Will Bring Your Writing To Life

Freewriting is a release from the prison of rules. It... Read More

6 Tricks To Squeeze Your Letters Onto One Page

Anyone who has read any of my articles on the... Read More

2nd Installment on Autobiography

ESSAY 2Andre Malraux once said that what interested him in... Read More

limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..