Do you need to trademark a pen name?
Legal Myth No. While the name of a living author is not usually entitled to trademark protection, a pen name can be if certain conditions are met. The author must prove that the name has “secondary meaning” by being part of a unique brand that is used in marketing and commerce, and is widely recognized.
What is Stephen King’s net worth?
Introduction. As of 2021, Stephen King’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $500 million, making him one of the richest authors in the world. Stephen Edwin King is an American author of fantasy, horror, suspense, and science fiction.
How to register and legally use a pen name?
If you want to be identified by your real name in Copyright Office records, check the box marked “pseudonymous” and provide your pen name where required. You then will list your real name as the copyright claimant. If you don’t want to be identified by your real name in Copyright Office records, use your pen name as the copyright claimant.
How to get paid under a pen name?
The US Copyright Office gives you the option to provide both your legal name and your pen name on the application, or even to copyright the work solely under the pen name. If you want to know how to get paid under a pen name, that is a bit more complicated. Necessarily it will require you to create a legal entity under the pen name.
Can a pen name be used as an author name?
Search your pen name as an author name and see what comes up. If someone else is already using the same name, you should consider choosing something different. The U.S. Copyright Office has a searchable database of registered copyrights on its website that you can use.
How can I get a domain name for my pen name?
You can claim a domain name relatively cheaply, even if you don’t plan on creating a website for your pen name yet. Create an email address using a free email service, or get an email address associated with your pen name’s domain through the company with which you registered the domain name.
How can I legally use my pen name?
Set up a checking account in your given name with a DBA (Doing Business As) in your pen name. This is the easiest way to use your pen name in lieu of your given or legal name. Trademark your pen name if you want to identify a body of work such as a book series or screenplays. You can use your trademark on all of your work legally.
Can a pen name be the real name of the author?
A pen name is listed as the author’s name on a published book, and readers often do not know the real name or identity of the author. “A pen name is an assumed name used by a writer instead of their real name.”
How to publish anonymously under a pen name?
It’s best to form an Anonymous LLC and name such company with the pen name you wish to use, using an actual law firm or properly licensed attorney to form the Anonymous LLC for you. This is one of the times you want to avoid “all those Internet companies” who are not actual attorneys.
You can claim a domain name relatively cheaply, even if you don’t plan on creating a website for your pen name yet. Create an email address using a free email service, or get an email address associated with your pen name’s domain through the company with which you registered the domain name.