Registering a band name

[RIFF WRATH]

Hi to all interested.

last fall i was surfing around and found a link to www.bandname.com
so of course I decided to register my band name. The band name is RIFF WRATH, naturally, and currently it has only 1 member. It cost $12.00 US and the registration is supposidly in the US and the UK.
There are probably other sites, but this one "looked" official enough.
Perhaps I might have to register elsewhere for publishing etc. but this is a start.
The neat part is that I have an "official" document, like a diploma that is dated, with my name, my address, the band name and the date.
IMHO I think for the price that this is a good enough legal wise to protect your band name, or even a future band name that you might like. They claim to also do a search and apparently if the name is taken they won't allow you to register.
cheers
RIFF WRATH

[Chito]

I suggest you get the domain name too, riffwrath.com as well as the riffwrath.ca Doesn't cost that much either. Less hassle later on if you decide to build a website.

Cheers

[RIFF WRATH]

Thanks for the suggestion Chito.
I am a bit computor illeterate but will have to check into that.
cheers
RIFF

[PTModIT]

Hello, Iam going through the same thing with my sons band. I checked out that site you mentioned and I dont think it will help you legally.We are using a Trademark agent in Toronto. It will cost $1400 . you get a complete search. The agency gets some .The Canadian government gets some.Its all legal paperwork. It will take about 1 1/2 years to complete. To trademark a name you have to start in your home country first .Then if you want, apply in the states next.It will probably cost alot more to trademark a name in the States. I'am finding thats why alot of bands donot trademark their names. Time and money. Thanks.

[kat_]

Hello, Iam going through the same thing with my sons band. I checked out that site you mentioned and I dont think it will help you legally.We are using a Trademark agent in Toronto. It will cost $1400 . you get a complete search. The agency gets some .The Canadian government gets some.Its all legal paperwork. It will take about 1 1/2 years to complete. To trademark a name you have to start in your home country first .Then if you want, apply in the states next.It will probably cost alot more to trademark a name in the States. I'am finding thats why alot of bands donot trademark their names. Time and money. Thanks.

$1400 seems steep for that. Registering a trademark with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office is only $250 link here (https://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrksv/cipo/trademark-filing/application/engdoc/index_owner_e.html) so I'm curious about what the other $1100 is for, other than just the convenience of having someone else do the paperwork.

I do agree that registering a trademark is the way to go, and establishing use of the name. I guess the website that started this topic could go towards showing use of the name, but I think most courts would rule in favour of someone who's been gigging with a name over someone who has just claimed it on that website but not actually used it.

[Hamm Guitars]

I would go the easy route.

Register your band name as a business. You can do it online for about $150.00 provincially (with a name search). If you want, you can register it in as many provinces or all of Canada for that matter, and you can get a GST number.

If you are not taking things seriously enough to run the band like a business, then you have to wonder why you want to protect the name in the first place. If you run the band as a business there are also expenses that you can write off, which will likely negate any income for a band that is just starting out or just plays on week-ends would make.

You can let the record company worry about the rest in the event that you get signed, otherwise I wouldn't get twisted up over international rights.

[RIFF WRATH]

I have just registered riffwrath.com and riffwrath.ca. the search showed no current users. I suppose a hyphen or perhaps a space in between, or maybe an "s" on the end could be considered different, who knows.
My one man band is very impotent now that the name is out there - LOL
cheers
RIFF

[PTModIT]

Hello, There is more to it then just registering a trademark for $250. There is a trademark lawyer involved.$250 is just for the application and thats our next step.There are lawyer fees ,filing fees , search fees, canadian government fees. $1400 over 1 1/2 years is not to bad. Thanks.