Dear Geist,
Is the phrase good grief trademarked? Can I use it as the title of a poetry manuscript without securing permission?
—Anna, Edmonton AB
Dear Anna,
Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and this answer is not legal advice. It is a summary of our knowledge and experience on the subject.
A copyright is your right to the exclusive use of your artistic creation. A trademark is your right to the exclusive use of a word, image, design, etc., associated with your product or service. Generally you cannot copyright or trademark book titles, but there are exceptions. For more on trademarks in Canada, go here. To search trademarks, go here.
—The Editors
