Does the name has to be registered somewhere to keep the rights? Should it be treated like the regular company registered in a gov agency? How about non-profit artists, bedroom producers or hobbyists who stream their tracks occasionally?

 

Has nobody dealt with this matter?

 

The right to an artist name has nothing to do with copyright, but rather with trademark law. You can register your artist name, but it depends on the specific country where you want to protect it

 

here in the U.S. either you, your label or management need to trademark the name; but it has to not already be under trademark (which A LOT of words are). its pretty much useful if you want to make merch. you also have to re-register it every year and internationally

but in my experience it only matters if you want to produce and sell a bunch of merch. just build an audience and that name will become associated with your music - unless its a big company

 

Last edited: Jan 29, 2024