Re: Copyright Infringement on a commonly used phrase

From: Glazer, Anne <GlazerA[_at_]LanePowell.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2000 19:42:22 -0700

On Fri, Jun 16, 2000, Karen E. Carballa <karencarballa[_at_]vbmc.org> wrote:
>
> We are in the process of developing a credo for our hospital and would
> like to use "May I Help You", however, we want to make certain that
> this phrase is not copyright protected. Can anyone own this phrase?

Ms. Carballa -- Your issue is whether the phrase "May I Help You" is trademark protected, not whether it is copyright protected. Such a short phrase is not copyrightable.

Among the many resources that might to help you decide how to answer the question in a way that is appropriate for your situation, you might look at the International Trademark Association page on trademark clearance in the U.S., at
<http://www.inta.org/basics/ip/clearance.shtml>.

Best of luck,

-Anne
Anne W. Glazer
Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP
601 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 2100
Portland, Oregon 97204-3158
glazera[_at_]lanepowell.com
direct dial 503-778-2116
fax 503-778-2200
http://www.lanepowell.com/

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This message is private or privileged. If you are not the person for whom this message is intended, please delete it and notify me immediately, and please do not copy or send this message to anyone else. Received on Sun Jun 18 2000 - 02:43:11 GMT