[holden]

One has to use it in business for a year using the TM symbol, which stakes a claim. If there are no other contenders in your market area using the trademark when you show your evidence of use to the Patent Trademark Office, they'll probably "salute" and allow you to become registered, which is when your real protection can begin.

HF

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

THANK YOU! That sounds totally reasonable how it would work. This lawyer we talked to seemed to be pulling a fast one, she wanted us to “print up a few tee shirts and sell it to friends” then make a receipt and give her $2500 up front, I was like what are you kidding? Forget it.

So if we put this on the web and put that TM next to it for a year, couldn’t somebody else do that as well? Or I guess they would have to make it public? Not that they would anyway, there’s probably zero chance this would sell but you never know.