12th July 2004, 9:50 AM
ABF, don't be silly.
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information. However, copyright protection may be available for logo artwork that contains sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be protected as a trademark.
So, let's head to the US Patent & Trademark office official web site and check up on what these special circumstances are.
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc..._defin.htm
So, unless this greasy large man actually copied the ENTIRE title, and the title was in fact the writer's company logo, meant to distinguish his trade, then no.
So NO ABF, this guy does NOT have a valid case at all.
As I said before, you CAN'T sue someone for using a SINGLE ALREADY EXISTING WORD, EVER.
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
Quote:Can I copyright the name of my band?No. Names are not protected by copyright law. Some names may be protected under trademark law. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information.
How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information. However, copyright protection may be available for logo artwork that contains sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be protected as a trademark.
So, let's head to the US Patent & Trademark office official web site and check up on what these special circumstances are.
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/doc..._defin.htm
Quote:What is a trademark or service mark?
- A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.
- A service mark is the same as a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Throughout this booklet, the terms "trademark" and "mark" refer to both trademarks and service marks.
So, unless this greasy large man actually copied the ENTIRE title, and the title was in fact the writer's company logo, meant to distinguish his trade, then no.
So NO ABF, this guy does NOT have a valid case at all.
As I said before, you CAN'T sue someone for using a SINGLE ALREADY EXISTING WORD, EVER.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)