Why in the world would someone feel compelled to trademark his or her name? Individuals already have legal documents and identification showing the name their parents gave them at birth, so what’s the big deal about protecting a name?

For celebrities, business people, and other notable individuals, your name can be everything. Lady Gaga, Julian Assange and even Bristol Palin have trademarked their names. Trademarking your name will protect the commercial use of your name and subsequently prevent others from others using it in the sale of goods or services.

Moreover, trademarking your name will safeguard the name in particular categories, such as entertainment services, and further cover the conceivable uses of that name. For example, Lady Gaga might want to trademark in multiple categories to prevent a company from using the Lady Gaga name to sell clothing. Registration can cover different classes of use, including video, film, books, calendars, and posters, just to name a few. This in turn gives the individual legal protection and rights to go after counterfeiters and false endorsements.

“It’s not about restricting free speech,” said Mark Stephens, Julian Assange’s lawyer. “It’s not that he’s out there trying to make huge amounts of money. It’s about protecting himself from being associated with things he doesn’t know about or approve of.”

Typical trademark applications take many months for approval. In California, Los Angeles entertainment lawyers and Los Angeles trademark lawyers counsel on the many legal requirements, strict deadlines, and complex paperwork that goes into securing a trademark or service mark. An experienced attorney is also critical to assist with any legal questions that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office might have.

Once a trademark registration is approved the individual can:
• prevent the import of infringing foreign goods through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service
• take legal action in the federal court system to protect their intellectual property rights
• use the U.S. trademark as a way to get registered in foreign countries

The registration lasts as long as post-registration documents are maintained and paid for at the five-to-six-year timeframe and again between the ninth and 10th year. From thereafter, the registration will need to be updated every 10 years.

Los Angeles entertainment attorney and Los Angeles trademark attorney Anthony Spotora counsels celebrities, musicians and bands and other notable persons and businesses on how trademarks can protect their identity, brand and financial livelihood. The Law Offices of Spotora & Associates, P.C., has decades of experience with the trademark process and litigating to fight for their client’s rights throughout California, the U.S., and abroad.

For more information:
www.spotoralaw.com
Law Offices of Spotora & Associates, P.C.
1801 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067-2302

P (310) 556.9641
F (310) 556.9642
Toll Free: (877) 4U-EZ-LEGAL

Anthony Spotora is a Los Angeles entertainment lawyer and Los Angeles business attorney. To learn more, visit Spotoralaw.com.

Tags: entertainment lawyer, Los Angeles business attorney