Most artists never think about trademarks until it’s too late.
In this episode, we break down the shocking history behind the phrase “The Real McCoy,” the rise of McCoy Pottery, and how one of America’s most recognizable pottery brands became flooded with knockoffs, reproductions, and branding confusion.
What happens when your art becomes valuable… but your brand isn’t fully protected?
We dive into:
- The difference between copyright and trademark,
- Whether artists actually need to trademark their logos,
- How copycats can legally create chaos around your brand
- And what the McCoy Pottery story teaches modern artists and entrepreneurs today.
If you’re building an art brand, gallery, creative business, merchandise line, or recognizable online identity, this episode may completely change how you think about ownership.
Because the worst time to protect your brand…is after somebody else profits from it. Take a listen as we start the new series!
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This episode is for educational purposes only. If you’re looking for legal advice, contact your local artist nonprofits and find out if any of them have contacts with lawyers who have art experience to find a qualified legal consultant on trademarking and intellectual property protection for your business.
