#1626168 - 12/13/00 11:34 PM
How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
mbeers@hbs.edu
Member
Registered: 12/13/00
Posts: 1
Loc: Boston,MA,UNITED STATES
|
Offline
|
|
So I don't have to change the name as soon as I think of one!
Mike Beers
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#1626169 - 12/14/00 03:37 AM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
Doctor Al
Senior Member
Registered: 05/05/00
Posts: 192
Loc: ,,US
|
|
Offline
|
|
I have to admit, I'm stumped here
Any help out there?
I never had this problem til Alice Cooper came around!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626170 - 12/14/00 04:02 AM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
Lee Flier
10k Club
Registered: 09/13/00
Posts: 15398
Loc: Atlanta,GA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
A trademark search is the best way. You may be able to do it yourself at your library - here's an FAQ about trademarking your band's name, including info about trademark searches:
http://www.hitme.net/useful/tmfaq.html
Otherwise, you have to hire a trademark attorney or use a trademark search firm to research it for you. Here's one online that specializes in band names and does it cheap:
http://www.studiomenu.com/bandnames/
Also there's a database at http://www.bandname.com where you can search for names in use plus register your own. It's not complete yet by any means but it can be helpful for finding band names that may not necessarily be trademarked, but you still don't want to have a conflict.
Good luck -
Lee
P.S. Al, I'd be suing that Alice Cooper guy. 
[This message has been edited by Lee Flier (edited 12-14-2000).]
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626171 - 12/14/00 04:04 AM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
alphajerk
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/06/00
Posts: 7950
Loc: asheville nc usa
|
|
Offline
|
|
try searching UBL.com or artist direct [whatever it is now] it will turn up ANY signed band. then search mp3.com iuma.com rollingstone.com and any other mp3 type site you can think of. then do a general search using yahoo [the worst since you need to register to become part of their database] hotbot, alta vista, infoseek, excite, etc. using keywords like "the band name in question+music+bands+whatever else you can think of" to narrow the search from the possible millions of noncompete uses of the name. USE THE NET! if any band worth anything right now isnt using the net to their advantage, then they deserve to have their name robbed from them.
if you think of a name and later on have to dispute it nad lose, you can always add Jr. to the end of the name a la 'dinosaur jr.'
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626172 - 12/14/00 07:47 AM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
alphajerk
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 03/06/00
Posts: 7950
Loc: asheville nc usa
|
|
Offline
|
|
i was going to post about the trademark thing but i see lee took care of that. one thing about trademarked names. i work with a band right now on a major label thats using a name that was originally trademarked by someone else yet the use continues and they say the other band hasn't a problem with it. it was actually trademarked 30? years ago.
_________________________
alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626173 - 12/14/00 10:44 PM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
kudyba
Gold Member
Registered: 04/27/00
Posts: 890
Loc: New York, NY
|
|
Offline
|
|
THIS SITE is the Trademark search that should take care of 99% of your searching for names taht are OFFICIALLY trademarked. You may get screwed if another band has been using a name for a couple years, especially if they've been playing & can prove they've been playing in a cpuple of states. You should consult an attorney before registering, since they have access to more current records, than even the ones on line. Or you can risk the $325 after doing some of your own research and wait the 6 or so months it takes to process a trade/service mark application. For bands, BTW, a service mark is more appropriate.
[This message has been edited by kudyba (edited 12-14-2000).]
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626174 - 12/16/00 06:43 AM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
trick fall
Senior Member
Registered: 07/18/00
Posts: 414
Loc: Somewhere btwn America & the r...
|
|
Offline
|
|
Whatever you do, when you do decide on a name and research that no one else is using it, register the trademark with the federal government. My band has had to stop three different entities from using our name and we are now on a fourth!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626176 - 12/16/00 06:32 PM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
John Worthington
Gold Member
Registered: 11/01/00
Posts: 610
Loc: New Orleans,LA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
Originally posted by trickfall@yahoo.com:
Whatever you do, when you do decide on a name and research that no one else is using it, register the trademark with the federal government. My band has had to stop three different entities from using our name and we are now on a fourth!
Maybe you can start selling franchises. A great band name, set list, etc. all for a low percentage of the gross.
jw
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626177 - 12/16/00 09:56 PM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
Doctor Al
Senior Member
Registered: 05/05/00
Posts: 192
Loc: ,,US
|
|
Offline
|
|
I wonder if anyone is using the name;
The Dimpled Chads ?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626178 - 12/19/00 02:42 PM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
Lee Flier
10k Club
Registered: 09/13/00
Posts: 15398
Loc: Atlanta,GA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
LOL... dunno Al, but I read a Newsweek article a few weeks ago that suggested if Gore won, Tipper should form a band and call it the Hanging Chads. Has a nice ring to it...
--Lee
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1626179 - 12/19/00 11:58 PM
Re: How can one find out if a band name is in use?
|
SvtYeahBaby!
Senior Member
Registered: 03/25/00
Posts: 93
Loc: Kansas City,MO,USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
the joke is:
M-A-D-C
Mothers against Dimpled Chads....
Steve
_________________________
Steve Smith
No, not the drummer
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
