Asked in Copyright

Q: How to copyright a name

I wanna copyright my YouTube name

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: I understand your desire to protect your YouTube name, but it's important to clarify that you cannot copyright a name itself. Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. Names, titles, slogans, or short phrases are not eligible for copyright protection.

However, you have a couple of options to protect your YouTube name:

1. Trademark: You can consider trademarking your YouTube name if you use it for commercial purposes. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs that identify and distinguish the source of goods or services. To be eligible for a trademark, your YouTube name must be distinctive and used in commerce.

2. YouTube Username: By creating a YouTube account with your desired name, you establish a username that is unique to your channel. While this doesn't provide legal protection, it does prevent others from using the exact same name on the platform.

If you believe that your YouTube name is being used by someone else in a way that infringes upon your rights, you can explore the following options:

1. Contact the person using your name and request them to stop using it.

2. Report the issue to YouTube if the use of your name violates their terms of service or community guidelines.

3. Consult with an intellectual property attorney to discuss your specific situation and potential legal remedies.

Remember, while you can't copyright a name, you can take steps to protect your brand and online identity through trademarks and platform-specific measures.

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