T-shirt: Help needed.

[bkjeffrey]

Say you had a truly unique design for a political T-shirt phrase/symbol.

I have an idea for a political t-shirt that I am sure would be a hit. Remember the Chuck Norris T's? The WWJD t's? Ive got one right up there that affiliates with the real American ideals. A true patriotic T-shirt desighn. I wanted to make a few on some of those internet T-shirt desighn websites, but I think I'm on to something big here and I want to capitolize on the theme. How do I go about securing rights to an idea?

Example: (this may be far-fetched)
Remember the movie "Forrest Gump"? Where the guy made a fortune on the smiley face T-shirt idea? If you had an idea that would spread like wildfire how would I go about securing rights to the idea?

Thoughts please...............

 

[memphisjim]

good question

 

[Mp7]

the least expensive way to prove you had the idea first
would be to put it into an envelope/packet and mail it
to yourself or your lawyer .. with a receipt slip.
Keep it unopened.

..around here, we have a mail-service like that
you´d use if u send important stuff ... and wanna make
sure they really get there ... dunno what the comparable
would be in the US.

IT´s what musicians and authors used to do
with songtexts here.

my .2 cents

 

[bkjeffrey]

prove you had the idea first
would be to put it into an envelope/packet and mail it
to yourself or your lawyer .. with a receipt slip.
Keep it unopened.

Thats a start, and a cheap one. I'll do it tomorrow, better than nothing.........

 

[SiNNiK]

If you're going to do that, do a couple or three of them.

If you ever have to go to court to prove you had the idea first, judge opens up your "proof" and then it's gone because it's no longer sealed.

 

[mcdonl]

bkjeffrey... give me a PM if you want some more ideas on cheaper ways to get your initial shirts printer to try it out. Also, safer ways then using Cafe Press or other services where anyone can snag your designs.

 

[Keauxbi]

You can always hire a lawyer to try to trademark or copyright a phrase or image if that's your question. As to what you have to do to accomplish that? No Idea. Try LegalZoom.com to cut out the middleman.

 

[Art Eatman]

Good idea; OT for this website.

PM Larry Correia, maybe...