Names
Names are protected primarily under concepts of trademark law. Trademarks identify source. If you see “Coke” on a can, you are being assured that the cola beverage in the can was manufactured by a certain company. If you see “Century 21” on a sign, you are being assured the realty services which you will be provided by that firm will be of a certain type. Trademarks arose from the practice of artisans stamping a mark on their work identifying them to be “from the studio of …” They make advertising and good will possible, and they also help us trace the origins of defective goods.
Performers often adopt names or titles other than their own under which they perform. Investigating prior use of a name may be difficult for performing artists since unions may not have information about performers other than local members, and performing artists have traditionally not registered names or been listed in the type of directories in which a commercial search firm would look. Some investigation should be made, however, to help avoid a later conflict.
Actually trademark protection begins after a mark has been used, so it is not possible to protect a name you have created prior to disclosing it to the public. After the mark has been used, federal trademark registration, the preferred method of protection, may be undertaken. If federal registration is not possible, state registration may be. If neither are available, ot may still be possible to protect the name if it is used long enough and becomes associated in the public’s mind with a certain performer. Protection extends to not only preventing other performers from using the name, but also use of the name in other areas, such as on tee-shirts, etc. trademark protection is also important for any identifying logo, emblem or insignia which the performer has adopted in connection with his performance
就这么多哦。。。