Trademarking Puppets

[Smoogle]

Well i was wondering when i put some puppets up for a web series should i worry about trademarking them..could someone just totally bootleg the design and say they created him...i was just thinking because i really love these characters of mines is it necessary to do this?

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Under Canadian law your puppets would be protected by copyright, not trademark, since they are artistic works. You can trademark the names simply by using the "TM" symbol after the name or formally registering them so you can use the "R" registered trademark symbol.

There's a basic overview of Canadian copyright law located here.

 

[intozlight]

Unfortunately, your trademark / copyright is only as good as your ability to defend it. Be sure to document the process thoroughly and take lots of pics. Once you have published (revealed to the public) this also gives you more ammunition in a suit.
However, as the muppet knockoff thread shows, there will always be those that feel "entitled" to take your ideas for themselves, exspecially if they are good ones. But you can help yourself alot by noting that your characters etc. and don't forget to include "All rights reserved." along with the year.

Hope this helps.
_____________
Director Davies
ripplesministry.org

 

[Buck-Beaver]

There is registered copyright in the United States and Canada and that's something worth looking in to.

However, as the muppet knockoff thread shows, there will always be those that feel "entitled" to take your ideas for themselves, exspecially if they are good ones.

Do we really need to start that up here too?

 

[intozlight]

Nah, not trying to start anything, just giving a little FYI. I have a patent and many copyrights, just trying to help Smoogle decide if it is worth it for formal trademark. Sometimes it is, sometimes not.
____________
Director Davies
ripplesministry.org

 

[hennesprod]

Check out legalzoom.com they may have some advice and also prices on copyrigting and trademark stuff.

Tradmarking I think is not as straight forward as stated here in the US. Rights of work, I believe, automactically are reserved by the creator unless given up contractually. I have sigend many of contracts that inform me that have...I give up my rights and shall make no came to.....sentences.

William