Thanks James, I'll look into that.

Anyone from MyFonts have any suggestions?

Hi Christobal,

Thanks for the info. I'll check out the link.

I find 900 euros to be a lot of money for just a name (but then again, it's only 90 euros a year)... I don't know if it's that good ;-) I think I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope no-one else thinks of it too. Glad I didn't mention it here! (Though I trust every one of you!)

Also note this: I am not really informed about the European legislation, but I understand that even if you finally release the font with MyFonts or any other distributor, the name won’t be protected unless you trademark it, so someone else might copy it (or change it a bit, if that makes any difference) and upload a new design with “your” name.

JP, you being Dutch and European, there is a cheap alternative: you can register an idea with the BBIE Benelux Bureau voor Intellectueel Eigendom, at their site:

http://www.boip.int/nl/ideeen/actionIdepot.html

That will give you something to fall back on in case there is a dispute about the copyright of that name, in future…

Well, this form of registration is not one that offers a lot of protection - it just establishes the fact and the moment that one has registered an idea (sketch, image, words, whatever). Which, of course, can come into play when there is a dispute and litigation…

I like the fact that it is a lot cheaper than other forms of 'protection' and is a more viable alternative to sending yourself a registered letter and keeping that safe somewhere… : )

One of the few useful things I learnt in school (from my economics teacher): if you write down the name, and usage etc, then seal it in an envelope, stamp it and send it to yourself, then you have a free copyright/ trademark of sorts, providing you don't open the envelope until the time comes when you have to prove it (with witnesses).

@Bloodtype: What you describe does not substitute for formally registering the Trademark.

When you register a trademark of a font name, or copyright the software code that describes the "typefont" you now have the option to sue for COSTS as well as DAMAGES should the need arise. Failing to register only allows you to sue for damages

Or you can do what I do, and hire carefully trained martial arts students (that you train yourself) to go around the world enforcing your intellectual property. I have to tell you, it works for me!

Thanks for all responses guys!
I did ask MyFonts.com this very same question directly. They kindly replied:

"It is quite rare to register trademarks for font names. As I understand it, the main benefit of registering a font name is that you get triple damages in the event of a violation. For small foundries and independent designers the cost of registering a trademark is unlikely to be cost effective.
All that is generally necessary is to ask us to mark your font name with a TM to signal the fact that you consider it to be your trademark. This is sufficient to establish priority in the use of the name for commercial sale of the font."

So, no cost and no guarantees. Not that I'm cheapskate (although Dutch) but there are not a lot a guarantees in life anyway. And *if* someone does copy the name, I'll consider that flattering.

In Europe you are better of. As long as you pursue infringements on either an established name, or infringements on your design you are pretty golden. As I understand it, typeface designs are not protected in the US because it was ruled that they constitute 'derivative works', and as I understand it, derivative works cannot be copyrighted. This is partly why typefaces have protected Trademarks (proper), because it is the only properties of a typeface the foundries can protect. Correct me if I'm wrong please.