club 201

[jdemerich]

I am the director of entertainment at my American Legion in Alpharetta Ga.
We are post 201. I run the dances and wish to advertise as club 201. I did a search and found nothing in Georgia, but other states had the name and several had copy write by them. Can I post my banners and local advertising with the name? Thanks John

 

[FlyingRon]

The term is "copyright" and it doesn't apply to names.
There may be businesses that use Club201 as a trademark or service mark, but if you're in widely different markets and there isn't a liklihood of confusion. The fact that there appear to be many Club 201's out there weakens their assertion that your mark would somehow dilute or infringe on their mark in a distant state. Doing a little searching, there do seem to be a few. The one in Birmingham seems to be lying about their trademark registration. The only people who seem to have registered that mark are a club in New Jersey who seems to have let the registration die.

 

[jdemerich]

club201

Thanks for your help. I wonder with post 201 all ready registered what it would take for me to get the name club201 registered so I am for sure safe guarded. Mean while I won't sweat with my banners, and local advertising...

 

[quincy]

jdmerich, you may wish to go to Georgia's Secretary of State website. The link is provided below. The "frequently asked question" section should provide you with the answers you seek.

http://sos.georgia.gov/corporations/trademarks.htm

Good luck.

 

[FlyingRon]

You establish trademark rights by using it in commerce. Registration might get you some additional things, but frankly it's probably not worth the effort in this case.
It's quite possible such registration would be denied.

 

[jdemerich]

not sure I understand how I would use it in commerce? Just don't want to get in trouble advertising locally etc. caps t-shirts. All apart of my American legion a nonprofit..Thanks

 

[The Occultist]

Just don't want to get in trouble advertising locally etc. caps t-shirts.

That is commerce