Q&A for How to Copyright a Logo

Trademarking your logo helps to protect your brand. If someone ever tries to copy you or have a product that goes nationwide, you don't have to worry about another competitor stealing your name/title. A trademarked logo also adds an intangible value to your business—so, that's part of the profit you'd make as an owner when you go ahead and sell the business.

In short, the answer is yes, but for a longer, more detailed answer, consult the copyright office's website.

If the store is using a logo and it is copyrighted, you can't use it. If you created the logo and copyrighted it and the store is using it without permission, you can sue them.

You should consult with an intellectual property attorney about your situation.

You can register your copyright ownership in the USA, but it's not clear whether you obtain any better rights to enforce it, since registration is not required for foreign works, by treaty.

As a general rule, under US law, the logo copyright is owned by the "legal author" until transferred to others. A logo's trademark rights can only be owned by someone actually using the trademark on goods or services.

Possibly, unless the artist worked as your employee. Your ownership of the copyright (under US law) would be entirely determined by existence and content of a written document signed by the original artist or employer prior to its creation. In theory, someone owned the copyright from the moment the work was first created.

Copyright? Only if your work has the necessary level of creativity for copyright protection. Trademarks, on the other hand, are regulated differently in various countries. In the USA there is no legal requirement to register them, but if you do register one in the form of a word mark, it would generally cover any font, orientation, spacing, punctuation or even translations of those words. You can use and register a specific font or color, if you want to, and the registration for the words may still be valid to some extent for the "words alone", depending upon the laws in your jurisdiction.

Yes, in theory, an original work of creative authorship may come under copyright protection. If challenging an alleged infringer, you would have the burden of proving originality and creativity, not to mention authorship and ownership.

In the US, ownership of a "work made for hire" typically means the company that created the logo would automatically own the copyright, unless you have a signed contract stating otherwise. Be sure to check the laws in your country.

Yes, but your copyright ownership would only extend to the "original work of creative authorship" that you contributed, which is the "customized" part. You would need to review the terms of the license you obtained to use the underlying "features and designs" provided by others through the app.

A volunteer is not legally considered an employee. Two people who collaborate on a creative work may become joint owners, depending on the circumstances and any agreements made. Proof of an agreement can determine ownership rights and the need for further permission.

The logo is automatically copyrighted when it is created in a tangible form, provided it qualifies for copyright protection under US law. Your nephew can optionally register the copyright with the US Copyright Office. If further action is needed, like filing a lawsuit or licensing, an adult may need to be involved.

You will need a legal opinion on the relevant copyright and trademark laws in each country where you intend to enforce your rights, considering various international treaties and the national laws that implement them.