Is first name copyrighted?

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Premeseagry

Member
Hello dear YTtalk, I used friends account to ask this question.

I'm not really a inspired guy when it's time to think about the name of your channel. I must say that I like one american name for my channel. I would like to call my channel "Brian".. when it's time to talk about copyright, I've read somewhere that short phrases and first names are not copyrighted. But.. can I be wrong? I really can't find official american law .. this was just an article which I've read.

So.. are first names copyrighted or am I free to use one even if there are many channels of the same name.

Tnx.
 
Premeseagry said:
Hello dear YTtalk, I used friends account to ask this question.

I'm not really a inspired guy when it's time to think about the name of your channel. I must say that I like one american name for my channel. I would like to call my channel "Brian".. when it's time to talk about copyright, I've read somewhere that short phrases and first names are not copyrighted. But.. can I be wrong? I really can't find official american law .. this was just an article which I've read.

So.. are first names copyrighted or am I free to use one even if there are many channels of the same name.

Tnx.
Click to expand...

As far as I know names are not copyrighted as they are not a company or entity of any kind however I would say it would be hard to name your channel Brian as that username is most likely used already.
 
I think what you are referring to is "trademark" rather than copyright. You cannot trademark common names and phrases unless they are being associated with a extremely unique and identifiable way. To add a trademark, you would need to brand yourself with a more unique twist to your name. Trademarks are approved on a case-by-case basis -- this site talks more about Trademarks:
http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-getting-started/trademark-basics

Specifically, they have made this video that talks about what kinds of trademarks are the easiest to be registered and why:
 
KatyAdelson said:
I think what you are referring to is "trademark" rather than copyright. You cannot trademark common names and phrases unless they are being associated with a extremely unique and identifiable way. To add a trademark, you would need to brand yourself with a more unique twist to your name. Trademarks are approved on a case-by-case basis -- this site talks more about Trademarks:


Specifically, they have made this video that talks about what kinds of trademarks are the easiest to be registered and why:
Click to expand...

you would be surprised what can be trademarked. Some guy was sued years ago for selling T-shirts with a Dumpster on them. It didn't even have any trash company logo on the shirt and some guy actually trademarked the word Dumpster and he sued the guy.
 
If your name is Brian and you call your channel Brian then there is absolutely no problem (people suing you for your name? :D ). And it shouldnt be problem anyway ;)
 
I would try to create something a little more unique in a way so that you could trademark it. Either add a fake but absurd surname or add something to it so that it could qualify to be trademarked.
 
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