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Greetings,

We`re looking to better name our relatively new workshop aimed at giving students a more clear direction for their career. As a comparison, it`s like "Outward Bound" for developing a sense of occupational and life direction/purpose/mission -- an in-depth, systematic process to supply a sense of purpose or vision to direct their future educational and work-related decisions.

We`re looking for a workshop name that works both now, and hopefully as an established, recognized name.

Your thoughts (and replies) are greatly appreciated!

Best wishes,

Steve Bohler

http://www.TheOxfordProgram.com

http://www.CareerFitNow.com

http://www.StudentCareerCounseling.com

 

I would check with somebody about "oxford" trademark.

 

Are you from Oxford University?

No, I am not affiliated with Oxford University, although I have held my workshop on its grounds and the naming of my company comes from an experience there.

-Steve

 

Steve,
James (PatentAndTrademark) has been a community member for a long time, and has been always really helpful in terms of legal issues like this. Do you foresee, or have you had any issues to date regarding the use of the "Oxford" name?

Hello Craig,

I have done trademark searches in the past. Since Oxford is a town in many parts of the US, in addition to being a university, there are LOTS of businesses with Oxford in the name. One example is the "Oxford Royale Academy". They`re in Oxford, but not associated with the university.

So, I don`t foresee any problems, as long as I stay away from existing trademarks. I`ve used the dba of "The Oxford Program" for about 8 years now without any issues (I know that doesn`t mean there couldn`t be one in the future).

James, if you think I could be infringing on another`s trademark, I would love to know.

Thanks again,

Steve

I think James mostly was asking if you`d done the general checking you wrote about. But back to the main question, I`m a big fan of not making people think too hard about what the heck it is you`re selling.

You`re offering workshops in career direction. As such, say so in the name. It`s a way to pre-qualify customer interest. My opinion, anyway.

Hi Craig,

Thanks for your input. I also believe in not making people think.

On the other hand, I want something a bit more "catchy", like "Outward Bound" has done. The workshop has always been called "The Oxford Program of Career Change" or "The Oxford Program of Career Direction".

I guess I could try the latter one again.

Thanks again!

Steve

Well, if you`re going for catchy, the first issue is to know your target market. I`m assuming these are college kids who don`t yet know what the hell they want to do with life? Or is it for older folks changing directions? What`s the profiled age demographic?