Is there a way to find out of a word is protected by trade mark?

witnessmenow

Hey Guys,

Is there a way of figuring out if a word is protected by trademark?

The word in question is "Dinky"

I had what I thought was a good name for a mini game I was working on, "Dinky-Rink" (Toy cars playing an ice hockey match)

I originally thought "Dinky" was an irish-ism for toy model cars, but apparently it was a brand that produced toy cars.

Thanks

EDIT:

Just an extra bit of info:
Its a dictionary defined word - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dinky

: very small and not appealing

: small and appealing

Losty Dublin

witnessmenow wrote: »

Hey Guys,

Is there a way of figuring out if a word is protected by trademark?

The word in question is "Dinky"

I had what I thought was a good name for a mini game I was working on, "Dinky-Rink" (Toy cars playing an ice hockey match)

I originally thought "Dinky" was an irish-ism for toy model cars, but apparently it was a brand that produced toy cars.

Thanks

EDIT:

Just an extra bit of info:
Its a dictionary defined word - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dinky

: very small and not appealing

: small and appealing

There are agents and solicitors who specialise in trade mark and patent laws. A few minutes in the phone book should throw up some names. Also, look up the Patents Office website. They have a basic search facility on it which may help you along the way.

Grolschevik

witnessmenow wrote: »

Hey Guys,

Is there a way of figuring out if a word is protected by trademark?

The word in question is "Dinky"

I had what I thought was a good name for a mini game I was working on, "Dinky-Rink" (Toy cars playing an ice hockey match)

I originally thought "Dinky" was an irish-ism for toy model cars, but apparently it was a brand that produced toy cars.

Thanks

EDIT:

Just an extra bit of info:
Its a dictionary defined word - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dinky

: very small and not appealing

: small and appealing

I would suspect that Mattel still own that trademark...

Five Lamps

Patentsoffice.ie

Dinky is a registered trade mark since 1968 for 'toy models"

http://www.patentsoffice.ie/eregister/register/TMRegister.aspx?idappli=73489

They've also got a good agent.