Q: Concern about trademark issues for school sports channel name "WWSN" without monetization

A: To ensure there are no legal issues with using the name "WWSN" for your school sports channel, you should consider the following steps:

1. Trademark Search: Conduct a comprehensive trademark search to determine if "WWSN" is already registered or in use by another entity. This can help you avoid potential infringement issues

2. Legal Consultation: Consult with a trademark attorney to get professional advice on the likelihood of any legal issues arising from the use of the name "WWSN" and to assist with the trademark search and registration process if necessary. I give a free 30 minute consultation for inquiries or issues related to Trademark law.

3. Trademark Registration: If the name "WWSN" is available and not in use, consider registering it as a trademark to protect your rights to the name and prevent others from using it. It is more cost intensive, but depending on how frequently you will use it and if you decide at some point to monetize it, it might be worth the investment

4. Non-Monetization Consideration: Since you do not plan to monetize the channel, the risk of trademark infringement may be lower, but it is still important to ensure that the name does not conflict with existing trademarks to avoid any legal complications

If you following these steps, you can help ensure that there are few legal issues with using the name "WWSN" for your school sports channel.

A: Your first step should be conducting a comprehensive trademark search through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to determine if "WWSN" is already registered for similar services. Even without monetization, trademark law primarily concerns whether your use might create consumer confusion with existing marks, not whether you're profiting from the use. Educational use provides some protection but doesn't grant blanket immunity from trademark claims, especially if your channel gains significant visibility.

Consider developing a more distinctive name that incorporates your school's identity to reduce potential conflicts—for example, adding your school's name or mascot before "WWSN" creates a more unique identifier. You might also want to include a disclaimer on your broadcasts stating your affiliation with your school and the non-commercial nature of your activities, which can help establish good faith use and potentially reduce risk of claims.

For complete peace of mind, consulting with an attorney who handles intellectual property matters would be advisable as they can conduct a more thorough search and provide guidance specific to your situation. Alternatively, you could consider filing for your own trademark registration if you intend to use this channel long-term, which would provide you with stronger legal protection for the name going forward.