Forum: Author Hangout

Well my question was poorly expressed, or perhaps incomplete. I am thinking about making my stories available as ePub. Thus my pen name becomes more widely known. So in the world at large, how do you protect your pen name? Perhaps I need to do some surfing on the web, but thought the answers would be found among this knowledgeable group...

So in the world at large, how do you protect your pen name?

Trademark. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks

After doing a bit more searching, I found that a pen name is considered as a part of the copyright for the book. In hindsight should have been obvious.

@rustyken

I found that a pen name is considered as a part of the copyright for the book.

I don't think so. I'd like to see that reference.

I agree with SB. I'm pretty sure that to the extent pen names are protected at all, it would be by trademark, not copyright.

My comment was based in part by what I found at
https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-a-pen-name/
and my interpretation.

My comment was based in part by what I found at
https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-a-pen-name/
and my interpretation.

Then apparently you missed an important part. From your own link:

You may acquire a trademark for a pen name. Even though your own name cannot usually be trademarked, there are certain conditions under which you can trademark your pen name. Dr. Seuss, for instance, is a trademarked pen name.

richardshagrin
22/03/2023, 20.50.29

@rustyken

There is a game called Pendragon. Your Pen name could be Dragon. There are plenty of SOL authors with dragon in their names.

richardshagrin
22/03/2023, 20.50.30

@rustyken

There is a game called Pendragon. Your Pen name could be Dragon. There are plenty of SOL authors with dragon in their names.

We have two Pendragons on SOL: Uther Pendragon and Xanthos Pendragon. Did you double post so each one was honored?