Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`ve created a product based that is basically a deck of cards that function in a particular way for a particular audience.  I`m have a printer lined up and I`m ready to go as far as production is concerned. 

I am at a crossroads of sorts as I am not sure how the product will be received by customers, but the risk involved is very low so I want to give it a shot.  That said, I`m wondering if I should go ahead with my first print run and see how it is received (a sort of testing phase of sorts), or go through the motions of setting up a business structure and all that is involved with the chance that it will all fail. 

My questions are as follows:

1. Should I go ahead and file to trademark the product name prior to the first printing?  The name is important, so I want to make sure it is protected.

2. Do you think it necessary to file for a copyright for the text used on the cards?  I know it`s technically under copyright when I wrote it, so I`m guessing this would be for added protection.

3. Should I bother setting up a business structure (sole-proprietorship, etc) or wait until I see how well the product is selling?

4. The product will be sold through a website.  How do I deal with taxes when the product is purchased by someone living in my state?

5. Are there any other things I am not thinking about that you could point out for me?

Thanks in advance.
  

for the trademark, i suggest you file directly with uspto or hire a lawyer.  legalzoom is a waste of money.

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

don`t wait for copyright protection.  the earlier the better.

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

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Sylvia Freelance Business Plan Writer

Try testing whether there's a demand by selling it off the streets. Next work on the pricing people would be willing to pay. If you find this product viable, then find out the cost for mass production and approach investors who might be willing to invest in your business idea/product. You might want to approach your family members and relatives before heading to the VCs(Vulture Cannibals).

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