How to copyright/ register an image?

[Midnight Mick]

Hi all,

First time post here but have been lurking for a little while now, a great place.

Now, onto my question..

I have created an image/logo and would like to register this to my business.

I am unsure if I need copyright protection or simply just registered?!

Also, I am totally lost onto where I need to register/copyright it as well.

If anyone could advise me I'd be truly appreciative.

[skeeter]

Seeing as the above is not the answer.

I will give it a go...somebody will probably be keen to clean up my answer:

Your design is protected by copyright from the moment you publish it. You advertise the by using the Copyright symbol. There is no register, although you can lodge it with someone and pay them to stamp it. But really there is not need.

Official Trademark requires application. This you pay for. Application and perhaps support to get it through. It is not usually required for small business. Only usually applicable on consumer brands.

Somebody maybe able to offer a bit more.

[Indizine]

correct, it wasnt relevant to the OPs question so I have removed it as it was a pitch for the business concerned rathr than a solution for the OP.

www.ipo.gov.uk is where you officially register a trademark for £200 including one classs, + vat, but I would recommend you use a company to do this on your behalf as it is not exactly straightforward. You can register a word or words or a mark of distinction in accordance to what is permited to be trademarked, such as a logo for example, or a name e.g. coca cola.

You don't register copyright - it automtically exists where you created something unique such as a design, a song, an image or picture, etc.

So although you can create a logo and own it, you can also register a trademark against it to protect it further and more formally, though either way, you need money to fight a court claim. Only the very wealthy businesses bother to trademark a logo, or hose who plan to create and grow a national or global brand and can afford to take extra measures.

[Midnight Mick]

Thanks very much for your informative answer's.

Actually, http://www.ipo.org.uk/ looks hardly the place to trademark something as it's to do with " Iraqi Prospect Organisation"!

I found the correct link though: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/

[Indizine]

woops!!

[skeeter]

I love the human side of things.