Re: how do I find out if a copyright already exists?

On 6/23/98, Sandy Lora <sandylora[_at_]pol.net> wrote:
>
> How do I find out if a copyright already exists on a name of a product
> or idea??

Well, you didn't say what country you are asking about. I will assume the US.

In the US, copyright does not protect short words or phrases (and does not protect product names), nor does it protect ideas. Product names are generally protected not by copyright but by trademark. Ideas, if protected at all, are generally protected by trade secret or patent.

> What number do I call or who can I talk to?

Assuming these questions are not purely hypothetical, you should probably consult competent intellectual property counsel in the country you care about.

> Also should one get a lawyer involved if he or she wants to get a
> copyright and if so, do you know of any lawyers in the NYC area (and do
> you know approximately how much the fee is per hour?)

In the US it is possible to register a copyright without the use of a lawyer. For more information about patents, copyrights, and trademarks, you may wish to look at:

   http://www.patents.com/patents.sht

   http://www.patents.com/copyrigh.sht

   http://www.patents.com/trademar.sht

And the other very helpful web sites that are cited there.

Carl Oppedahl
<carl[_at_]oppedahl.com> Received on Wed Jun 24 1998 - 12:26:20 GMT