5 Important Things Bands and Musicians Should Trademark

Whether you're a solo musician or a band member, you'll likely need to use trademarks at some point in your career. There are several vital elements you should consider protecting, including your names, song titles and lyrics, and your logo and artwork.

Trademarking can help protect your image and brand and prevent copycats and counterfeiters from using your property to sell merchandise. If you're not sure what you should be protecting, don't worry!

Below we've listed all the essentials you should consider trademarking, whether you perform alone or within a group. If you're going to go through the process, we recommend seeking professional help.

Band / Artist Name

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Your name is the first thing that any you or your band should register. You can go through the process yourself or get professional help. However, it's vital to register your name to prevent merchandisers and counterfeiters from using your brand in the future.

You might want to consider trademarking stylized names of your stage or band name, especially if you intend to use them on merchandise yourself.

Album & Song Names

To stop others from selling products with your or your band's name, album, or song titles, you need to trademark them all. It's standard practice in the music industry, especially since it's common for merchandisers to sell items and apparel with these names on them.

Lyrics

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It's vital for musicians to trademark the lyrics of their songs. However, it would be best if you also considered trademarking specific words or phrases that show signs of becoming commercially popular. In other words, if you think someone can put it on a shirt and sell it, trademark it.

Taylor Swift was one of the first artists to trademark popular phrases from her songs. One of them is for 'This Sick Beat,' and, like most of her lyric trademarks, this one primarily covers merchandising.

Despite the adverse reactions to Taylor's penchant for trademarking her lyrics, it's an excellent business decision. More artists should consider trademarking unique and popular phrases to prevent other merchandisers from capitalizing on their work.

Logo / Artwork

It's highly recommended to file trademarks for your logo, or that of the band. Many performers are identified by their logos and artwork, and it's not uncommon for merchandisers to use these images on apparel.

To prevent the use of your logos and artwork, make sure that you trademark them.

Band Members' Names

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If you're in a band rather than a solo artist, you should trademark every band member's name. It's easy for someone to print a picture of a band member on a shirt, add their name, and sell these items without your permission.

By trademarking all the member names, you can prevent that, and make it illegal. However, every band member needs to consent to the trademark, so make sure that it's a group decision.

Take Away

Using trademarks is one of the few ways that bands and musicians have of preventing counterfeiting and loss of sales. By trademarking your name, artwork, songs, and even lyrics, you decrease the chances of people using these without your consent.

Ensure that you work with a reputable trademarking company - you're likely going to file several trademarks as you release more music or grow in popularity. Don't forget to include anything that defines your brand image, from key lyrics to performer names. Don't let others profit from your creativity just because you didn't trademark your property.