National City, CA asked in Business Formation, Contracts, Copyright and Trademark for California

Q: Hello,Can i use a pen name signing up my personal information on the copyright.gov website? Should i get it trademarked?

This pen name would be my stage name for me to fully identify with at all times. Thus, in order to keep my real identity secure and private from anyone doing some research looking to discover the publishing artist real birth given name.

1 Lawyer Answer

A: You can use any name you want to, as long as you don't defraud anyone or evade a tax. On tax returns they'll ask you for both. But those are confidential. It's called a pseudonym not a pen name, which is a term used for writers.

So, I'd say no. Names can be protected, but not if they are others' names as well.

A better alternative might be to form a limited liability company, or a subchapter S corporation.

Will Blackton agrees with this answer

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