Hi
I am in the process of starting up a new group for like minded individuals to meet, run events and socialise. We had a contest to give the group a name but the one that was chosen is also the name of a well known song. Once the group is up and running I intend creating apparel & gifts in my shop for members to buy. Does anyone know how I can find out if the song title is copyrighted? (bearing in mind I have several records here with the same title by different artists- yet are completely different songs, so I wondered how if it`s copyrighted they were all able to use that title!). I just want to make sure I`m okay to use the name before I do!
Thanks
Karen

www.cafepress.com/ra1nb0w

(I am not a lawyer, rendering a legal opinion for a fee)

Song titles are generally not considered copyright-protected while quotes from the lyrics generally are. So using the title plus lyrics on the design or in your tags is more likely to get you in trouble.

However there is a chance the title is trademarked.

All USA copyright and trademark registrations can be looked up online:

http://www.copyright.gov/

http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

While a person can own a copyright or trademark without registering it, they cannot sue anyone over it until they do register it.