Re: Protecting Ideas

Hi Larry
Even if the graphic design , color, print, shape are not what makes the value of your idea, the only way to protect your idea, at least in France, is to copyright it as a "drawing" in the appropriate business categor(ies). Register the design: it does not need to be fancy, try to make it somehow new and fun. Then the drawing AND the words will be protected. You will be able to sue anyone using the same words! I thionk it will work the same way if you register it at the USPTO (Drawings and Models) You can then extend the protection to all countries participating in the OMPI agreement. In France it will cost around 600 _700 $ for 2-3 categories (if you register yourself). A lawyer will charge his fee on top!

2007/1/24, Larry Jenks <larry[_at_]jnxgroup.com>:
>
> I am a newbie, and although I have read many posts from this website, I
> really have no background/experience in the area of intellectual property
> rights. But I'm pretty sure this is an easy question...
>
> I have come up with an idea for a t-shirt or a bumper sticker. The value
> of the idea is really in the words used to convey the idea, not the graphic
> design of the words and the way they are printed/colored/shaped or otherwise
> composed or presented. Is there any way to protect this idea?
>
> Larry D. Jenks AIA, CSI, NCARB
>
> *JNX Group, LLC
> *165 South Hudson Street
> Denver, Colorado 80246
> 303.322.6841
> 720.231.0634 (cell)
> 303.377.0634 (fax)
> www.jnxgroup.com
>
>
>

-- 
Alain Minodier
tel:33 (0)6 12 29 37 97
The secret of success is in constancy of purpose.