What's the deal with trademarks?

[Zapatista]

So I've come across a few arts that have been trademarked (the most recent is Miyama Ryu Jujutsu, here is the link to the site: http://www.miyamaryu.org/) and I wonder why they do that? Are all the specific schools of martial arts trademarked or just some and does it only have to do with arts that were created in the United States? I haven't come across any Danzan Ryu trademarks and that was kinda created in the United States, so I'm confused.

Is the trademark used to make it seem like there are only a few elite schools that teach this art so you should fork over a ton of money per month or is it so people with bad intentions can't take the name of the art and exploit it for their own liking or a third option is neither of those and it's something else.

Anyways, could somebody please explain the need for trademarking in martial arts? Thanks.

[giang_hu]

People who trademark a style are people who have black belts in kung fu, practice tae kwon do karate, and are also ninjas.

I hate schools that merely teach for the money and rank their students based on how much they paid. I sometimes feel like going to those schools and beating up the teachers.

[AndrewGreen]

Trademarks are not bad things.

Trademarks are there to protect the name and the image so that others can't use it without permission.

Trademarks are also set up so that if you don't protect them, they are no good.

They are used to ensure quality, so that not just anyone can use the name and image. Which without it, they can.

Even Linux, a free, open source program is trademarked.

[Eric_]

Don't always look at a profitable school as a dishonest school. Instructors have to make a living, no different than the rest of us. Running a successful martial arts school is running a successful business. The trademark protects their name, no different than the dojos of feudal Japan protected theirs, from use by others. It also makes them look more professional. If an instructor cares nothing for money, chances are his or her school will be open for about a week. Try not to veiw small business owners with such a cynical eye.

[octopic]

I think there is some confusion between trademarks and copyrights. You trademark a name or a logo, you copyright text, music, pictures, etc. It is always a good idea to trademark your school's name and logo. That prevents someone from copying it and using it to make money for themselves (e.g. printing up shirts with your school's logo on it and selling them). Some people copyright their curriculum to try and protect their style. Personally, I copyright the student guides and manuals that I give out to my students. Why do I do that? Very simply, I don't want someone else using or selling them without my permission. I've given permission for other people to use the stuff I've written, but I want to be able to control who is using it.

[giang_hu]

My view about hugely successful schools has been negative because I see a lot of b*llsh*t from the students and the sifu. It isn't wholly right, but if I don't see the sifu, I WILL judge him or her by the students. Since you all brought up these interesting points, my view about hugely successful schools will change. However, I must point out that we are all human and money owns you.