Copyright/trademark question

[Ellie]

So, if someone wrote a book called "Widgets Unlimited," and it was published and copyrighted; and many years later someone does a conference called "Widgets Unlimited," which doesn't use any of the content of the book at all, or even refer to the book, just the same title, is that a copyright violation?

[maize]

I don't think book titles as such are copyrighted?

Found this:

 

[katilac]

27 minutes ago, Ellie said:

So, if someone wrote a book called "Widgets Unlimited," and it was published and copyrighted; and many years later someone does a conference called "Widgets Unlimited," which doesn't use any of the content of the book at all, or even refer to the book, just the same title, is that a copyright violation?

Single titles for books do not fall under copyright, but titles for book series can. There are many books with non-unique titles.

To the particular example: it can be slightly complicated. If it's a single book called Widgets Unlimited, and the conference organizer does not try to imply they are somehow attached to that particular book, then it's probably fine.

However, it the author/publisher has built a brand around Widgets Unlimited, then the brand is trademarked and yes, it would be a problem. If the book title of Widgets Unlimited is just one part of the Widgets Unlimited brand, which also includes a blog and classes and a Widget of the Month club, then it will be a trademark violation. 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by katilac

[Katy]

No, but it might be a violation of trademark IF they trademarked it also. 

[kirstenhill]

And even if the first "Widgets Unlimited" is trademarked, it would also depend if the second one was in the same "market space".  If the first one is about auto parts and the new one is about computer games, it might be considered to be without confusion as they don't compete in the same industry.