How to Protect a Slogan

[Peacefield]

I don't even know if slogan is the right word for it, but I really like my tag line and want to protect it. What do I need to do to do this? My site already has a generic copyright at the bottom of each page, but do I need to do something specific for this line?

Any insights are appreaciated. Thanks.

[NickJushchyshyn]

In the US, slogans need to be Trademarked to "protect" them from use by others.
http://www.ehow.com/topic_646_trademarking.html

[Peacefield]

Thanks!

[CatchingUp]

When you say 'protect it', do you mean you want to insure that no one else uses it?

For example, the phrase "Professional quality at affordable prices" is used by various photographers. I've used it myself. Certainly someone could not 'protect' that line and keep others from using it, could they????

[NickJushchyshyn]

When you say 'protect it', do you mean you want to insure that no one else uses it?

For example, the phrase "Professional quality at affordable prices" is used by various photographers. I've used it myself. Certainly someone could not 'protect' that line and keep others from using it, could they????
I think that part of the trademark filing process includes a due-diligence search on the use of the phrase in the marketplace ... if for nothing else than to ensure that no one else HAS already trademarked the phrase in question.

If something is already in use, especially common use, then a trademark would not be granted, but if it hasn't been used, then it can be fair game. It's critical to major national corporations as they prepare to dump millions of dollars into an ad campaign to make sure that their new slogan is not in use ... and is protected from use by others.