When I first made the commitment to tell my Father’s story in November of 2014, I wanted to do something that would make it endure and be a permanent tribute. To start, MY belovED and I formed a company, EOC Enterprises, LLC, with all the necessary legal and financial documentation including a bank account, stock certificates, by-laws and a corporate seal. Our mission statement was based on my Father’s initials, S.F.S: Share the Story, Fulfill the Promise, Spread the Love. Having decided on the title, I had a graphic artist create a logo to use in all the aspects of production.
I was eager to get the project going and realized that writing the book would take some time, so I wrote the lyrics to a song and commissioned a composer friend to set them to music. In doing so I got an education on intellectual property—what it is, how it is established and how it is protected. Michael Radi and I share the copyright which was granted in 2015. A recording was made at a professional studio and given to family and friends. As our Christmas gift that year we had heart-shaped ornaments made with Je t’aime printed on them.
In 2017, when the book was ready for publication, it was registered with the Library of Congress and given a unique identification number known as an ISBN. As author I own all rights to that copyright and assume all the ensuing responsibilities.
There was one more designation I wanted to give my project; that being a registered trademark that could be used as our company logo. Doing so required that an application be submitted for a series of books, not for a single title; so I made the commitment to write two other books in the theme of memoir or biography: Tears of My Heart, Poems and Stories of Bereavement, and Long and Lasting Love , Secrets of Couples Married Fifty + Years.
Paperwork was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office and of course there were fees to be paid. The process took five years and I am pleased to report that on February 19th, 2019, the authorization to use the trademark symbol was granted and is secure for ten years at which time a Declaration of Use or Excusable Nonuse and Application for Renewal must be filed.
It’s been a great learning experience and well worth the time, effort and expense to pay tribute to my parents, share their story and spread their LOVE.
To read previous Blogs and learn more about work in progress visit: www.LovEstelle.com
Anything worthwhile takes time, work and patience!
Congratulations!
Loved your book! I believe your father and my father were cousins. I grew up in Dover and another f my cousins remember his father going to the funeral. My father may have been there, too. I think my grandmother, Anna Sladowski and your grandfather were brother and sister. Your book brought me back tony childhood and wonderful Polish memories. I did laugh when you wrote about taking a hatpin out on a date just in case. My mother always told me the same thing. I would love to hear from you if possible to know if you ever met my dad or uncle s or aunts from Dover. Thanks. Looking forward to hearing from you. Jean Ann
Congratulations, very nice idea