Can a city trademark its name [Expert Approved]

Last updated : Aug 6, 2022

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Can names of places be trademarked?

The U.S. Trademark Act provides that geographic names or signs--which otherwise would be considered primarily geographically descriptive and therefore unregistrable as trademarks or collective marks without a showing of acquired distinctiveness in the United States--can be registered as certification marks.

Are city names patented?

The names of municipalities and other geographic designations in the United States are not trademarked by default. However, if you are thinking of starting a company or branding a product using a geographic designation, you'll nonetheless want to be careful because the one you may wish to use may indeed be trademarked.

Can you trademark a community name?

If your community name was an arbitrary or fanciful designation, conjured up by a developer with no regard to the community's actual geographical location, then the chances are good that the name may be one capable of trademark protection.

Can you use city name in business?

Generally, you can use your city in your business name. Of course, for every rule, there is an exception (sometimes, more than one). You cannot imply that your business is somehow a government agency, part of law enforcement or a financial institution.

Can you trademark a street address?

You can register a trademark on a geographical location. And there can be good reasons for choosing a place name as part of your trademark: it may suggest a quality associated with that place, or suggest an emotion or activity you want associated with your trademark.

Can street names be trademarked?

Street names are in the public domain, so there is nothing inherently unlawful about using one. You should make sure that nobody else has trademark rights in using the proposed name for the goods or services you will be selling.

Can I put a city name on a shirt and sell it?

Short answer: No. Cities cannot trademark their name; it's generally considered a part of the public domain (depending on your regional laws). People are free to use any city's name in an original t-shirt design featuring a city's name.

Are cities copyright?

The appearance of buildings and other structures generally is copyrighted, or at least is copyrightable. This is especially so for unique or distinctive buildings, but any building is potentially copyrighted. The physical layouts of the roads and such is not copyrighted, however maps are copyrighted.

Can you copyright a place?

You can not copyright your name, the title of your post or any short phrase that you use to identify a work. The reason is that copyright is designed to protect works of creative authorship, it is not designed to protect how that work is identified in the marketplace, the same goes for people and places.

What is a community trademark registration?

A Community Trademark is a registered trademark that protects your brand in every EU member state and encourages international business and branding. The Community Trademark, also known as the Community Trade Mark (CTM), and EU Trade Mark (EUTM), is a European Union trademark registration.

Can you copyright an organization name?

While you can't copyright a business name, you can trademark a business name. The best practice is to hire a trademark lawyer to file the trademark on your behalf. In fact, you will increase your odds of a successful federal trademark registration by doing so.

Can a nonprofit have a trademark?

A federal trademark will add value to your nonprofit organizationâ€”it becomes an asset just like any other asset your nonprofit owns. If you ever did expand, or if you decided to merge or sell your nonprofit, the value of your nonprofit would be higher with a federally registered trademark than without one.

Can I name my business after a landmark?

Trademark Issues You can name your business just about anything you want, so long as the name isn't already trademarked.

Can a company sue you for having the same name?

Trademark Registration Then, the owner can face a lawsuit for using the same name as someone else even if the second party registered a trademark for the company after the first owner created the company. These situations usually require the services of a lawyer to both understand and pursue.

How long does a trademark last?

A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with 10-year renewal terms. Between the fifth and sixth year after the registration date, the registrant must file an affidavit to state that the mark is still in use.

Can you register geographical name as trademark?

1 submitted that a geographical name cannot be registered as a trademark. In support of his submission, learned senior counsel referred to the judgment of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court in Imperial Tobacco Co. of India Ltd.

How do I trademark a name for free?

You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a "common law trademark" for free, simply by opening for business. The benefit of relying on common law trademark rights is that it's free, and you don't need to do any specific work filling out forms, etc.

Can I trademark a state name?

Yes, you can, to a point. First, although people often question how anyone can "trademark" a common word, it happens all the time. APPLE is a common word that also used as a trademark, for example.

Can you trademark a state shape?

You cannot trademark a shape by itself. However you can trademark a logo that incorporates a unique shape, like Nike's famous "swoosh." This prevents others from using your shape on commercial products without your permission. To qualify for a trademark, your design must be original.

Can I sell T-shirts with movie quotes?

In short, if a design is copyrighted, don't go and include it in your Shop. Only the owner of that exclusive design has the authorization to monetize it. This doesn't just go for t-shirt designs; any written, visual, even verbal content, have potential to fall under the copyright law.

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Comment by Heide Osumi

you

Thanks for your comment Heide Osumi, have a nice day.
- Greg Timberman, Staff Member

Comment by Thora

I'd like them to withdraw the application because there's there's an awful lot of independent traders there were good people in a you know a meager living creating merchandise lots of it independently excellent designs that a lot of people like their calls opening where courts opening it's being a massive gap in our opinion you the absolute disgrace that they can take the name of my city and some products trademark on me I can understand that a little bit why the two units were that people himself or did he stop for the name love abou belongs to the city daily doesn't we are the people of Liverpool it's our city

Thanks Thora your participation is very much appreciated
- Greg Timberman

About the author

Greg Timberman

I've studied cognitive science at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs and I am an expert in analytic philosophy. I usually feel determined. My previous job was materials inspector I held this position for 11 years, I love talking about bmx and jogging. Huge fan of Travis Scott I practice hockey and collect sneakers.

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