It was reported recently in the Wall Street Journal that former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones was having difficulty finding a name for his new band. Apparently, there is a shortage of good band names out there, and believe it or not, the term, “counterculture,” now has a new meaning as the prior users of band names are now sending cease and desist letters to new bands using theirs or confusingly similar names.
Band names, whether they are used in connection with T-shirts, entertainment services in the nature of live musical performances or pre-recorded digital media, comprise trademarks and need to be searched as should be any other trademark prior to their adoption and use.
Looking for an idea for a band name, try http://www.bandnamemaker.com/ Once you’ve found a good one, then I can help see if your band name is available for registration as a trademark for one or more of the above goods and services, assist you in obtaining copyright protection for your musical works, prepare and review contracts on your behalf, assist you in ensuring that your web site contains the necessary legal disclosures, and obtain the necessary releases to use other people’s material. And if things go sour, I have represented band members in the past in contractual disputes with other band members when they have left the band.
