Trademarks??

[Ikon]

Ok, got a bit of a problem!

 

Was browsing Ush.net (Hardcore site) and came accross a message from a 'dj-ikon'. Checked out his recent posts and it seems he's a dj from Gateshead who plays Makina which is Spanish bouncey Techno.

Sent him a PM telling him that id been playing out for 3 eyars using the name Ikon and that it maybe a good idea for him to change to avoid confusion (He has already changed fro DJ Venom) and here is the reply i got -

 

>>>ive been DJ'ing 3 year now also, not palying out but there is absolutely no chance i will be changing my name you stuck up b*****d

 

Club Ikon was the first club i was ever in and is a legendary club round here, im getting DJ Ikon tattooed onto my leg in the next week weeks, youve got a problem come sort it out, 07759389794

 

you having the same name really doesnt bother me at all, ive got a life, so how about you take youre f**king snotty little messages elsewhere or bring them to my face

 

So Im thinking of actually trademarking the name 'dj Ikon' so that there wont be any confusion. i know that Sharkey has trademarked his name because another 'Sharkey' popped up and he wanted him to stop him using his name to his advantage!

 

Does anyone know how i can go about trademarking a name and how much does it cost??

 

Cheers

 

Ikon (The real one!!)

 

[Ed_worx]

Do you have any dated newspaper articles or flyers with the dates of the event on (WITH YOUR NAME). If you do and this other guy hasn't or yours are older i think (and stress) think this can stand up in court. You do need to check this though.

 

Good Luck

 

 

 

[Ikon]

Yes mate! fcukin loads!!

 

Although Im not looking at taking anyone to court, he doesnt even play out so it aint really a problem for the time being, but it would be nice to have something to fall back on i.e a trademark.

 

Thanks for your help amyways cheif!

[Cherry]

Ask Jeeves lovey, www.ask.co.uk - he'll probably come up with some website that will give you advice on how to go about trademarking your name.

 

Just for the record - what a rude dickhead! (not you, him)

[DJ Elemental]

check in the MIM (Music Industry Manual) to see if he is registered, if he is, then you'll have to change you name, if not, register it

[DJ Elemental]

or try....

 

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) London

Tel: 020 7439 0909

 

The American performing rights society created and controlled entirely by songwriters and music publisher. ASCAP leads the industry in the US.

 

back to the top

 

Band Register

Tel: 01865 798 795 (nbr@bandreg.com)

 

Provides all UK band names and artist information.

 

[DJ Elemental]

or www.bandreg.com register it for free

[Ikon]

Nah, he aint registered! He only registered his account on May 3rd and it says in his signature 'formely known as DJ Venom'

 

So im pretty sure he's only just changed his name, plus he aint even playing out yet! So I need to get in there first!

[Ikon]

Cheers Mark, much appreciated!

[DJ Elemental]

also, if you register with KlubDJ (DJ Agency) they list in things like the MIM and stuff, might be worth looking into

 

www.klubdj.com

[Nick G]

Had a look in the MIM and there are no DJ/ MC Ikon's registered with any of the agencies in there.

A friend of mine registered a trademark of his online at www.trademarksolicitors.biz it cost him a good few quid (about £700) but it's done now and he owns the trademark, and has the law on his side

[Blink]

This is a great post, can't believe some of you guys know so much...thanks for reminding me to get my band's name registered. I think this post should be stickied in the production or promote yourself forum.

 

Top advice from CTW yet again :thumbs

[slapmatt]

Try this for some accurate and informative advice:

 

http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm/whatis/index.htm

[Rob D]

When I decided to start apt recordings, I looked into this. While apt is yet to officially release any music, I have headed paper and also letters sent to apt from various sources which show the date from when the name was used. This means that if anyone spends lots of money and trademarks the name today they can not prevent me from using the name and can either buy me out or leave me to it. Also considering I own the aptrecordings.com and .co.uk domains, my case is strong. I don't know if that helps, but if you have flyers with dates and the name and you can prove its you, you have a very strong case.

[Blink]

Rob D said:

When I decided to start apt recordings, I looked into this. While apt is yet to officially release any music, I have headed paper and also letters sent to apt from various sources which show the date from when the name was used. This means that if anyone spends lots of money and trademarks the name today they can not prevent me from using the name and can either buy me out or leave me to it. Also considering I own the aptrecordings.com and .co.uk domains, my case is strong. I don't know if that helps, but if you have flyers with dates and the name and you can prove its you, you have a very strong case.

 

I admit to being out of my depth here, but I was reading on the trademark bit of the patent website, where it said if they accept a trademark, people have 2 months to appeal against it, and it has to be published in a journal to allow people to appeal. Having said that tho, Nirvana nicked there name from a 60's band, and got away with it, so who can tell.