A great source of reference material for copyright and trademark concerns.
Copyright and Trademarks are two things that everyone knows a little about… but could, and should… know more. In this article I will list some online resources for you to bookmark and reference and explain some of the more basic info myself. Every designer creating logos or writing copy should be aware of.
What exactly are trademarks? Here is an exerpt from the Cornell University Law School’s Law dictionary and encyclopedia:
“Trademarks are generally words, phrases, logos and symbols used by producers to identify their goods. However, shapes, sounds, fragrances and colors may also be registered as trademarks…Almost any word, name, symbol, or device capable of distinguishing the source of goods may be used as a trademark subject to few limitations… “
Here are a few sites you should bookmark in case you ever get into a situation where you need to trademark something.
Cornell University Law School’s Law dictionary and encyclopedia on Trademarks
United States Patent and Trademark Office (official Government site)
What exactly is Copyright? The US copyright office has this to say about copyright basics:
“Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of ‘original works of authorship,’ including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works.”
A few useful links to more information on copyright can be found at the sites below.
US Copyright Office (make sure to check out the copyright basics!)
There is a lot of great information located on the above sites, the general info I have posted should give you enough to understand the basics of the basics, but don’t stop there! Enjoy the read, and when you finish that trademarked logo and set up your stationary come see us for the Printing!
Christopher Robinson
