How to Copyright a Rap Name

Rap stars have some very unique names. If you have created your own persona and name for performing, you will want some assurances that your name can't be taken by anyone else. Unfortunately, U.S. law doesn't allow the copyrighting of a personal name, even if it's used as a performing name. But you can still get legal protection for your rap name. Most of the legal recourse you have lies with the fact that it's illegal to steal someone's identity---and this includes those who want to use that identity for a commercial purposes. So while you can't copyright your rap name, you can sue if someone else tries to use it.

Instructions

1. Make sure your rap name is unique and isn't in use by anyone else. Search the web to find out if anyone is already using your stage name.

2. Register your performing name along with any songs or lyrics that you perform. Registering is not the same thing as copyrighting, but in case of a lawsuit, your registered work and performing name have been officially established on a certain date.

3. Give as many performances as you can. Performances (unlike demo tapes, for instance) give you public exposure under your pseudonym, which gives you more legal merit in the case of a lawsuit.

4. Keep a file of your performances. This should not simply include audio and video tapes, but printed files such as flyers, posters, print and web ads and press clippings. This is evidence that you are pursuing a professional career under your rap name.

5. Read up on "trademark dilution" law (see Resources). Trademark dilution refers to one party using a name of another party while offering the same product or service---in your case, music. Thus the value of the name becomes diluted. Though the legal term has "trademark" in the title, which refers to trademarked names of businesses and products, it can also be used for personal and professional names.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Trademark Dilution at Wikipedia.org