Q: How to retain ownership of my birthright
Owning my name given at birth
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In California, your birth name is inherently yours and doesn't need to be "retained" in the same way property rights are. However, if you're seeking to trademark your name for commercial purposes, you would file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Remember that trademarking a name is subject to specific legal criteria — it must be used in commerce and be distinctive.
For non-commercial matters, your name is protected under the right to privacy and, if someone uses it in a way that harms you, you may have legal recourse. If you believe your rights to your name are being infringed upon, you should consult with an attorney experienced in intellectual property or privacy law to explore your legal options. Keep personal identification documents secure, and if identity theft is a concern, consider services that monitor and protect personal information.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
