In Search of a New Title

So here's my bombshell..."Bagged and Boarded" is in search of a new title. Here's the wrap-up...a few weeks back I got a call from a guy who told me he owned a trademark on the term "bagged and boarded." And he named his store after the trademark. The call came at midnight, so I was a little too distracted by my amazement that a stranger would call at that hour to really get into a conversation over legalities. The call dropped, and of course his number was private so I couldn't call back.

It's true though...a man does own a trademark on that term, even though it's a very common term that's been used for decades in the comic community. I got some advice from a trademark attorney on the subject (for FREE, 'cause I got mad connections). He said the case was up in the air...if I stayed with the title and he took me to court, it could really go either way. He also said that the term is in fact vague enough where a trademark like that might not hold, and he could risk losing it if I felt like challenging it.

Do I feel like challenging it? Not really. I don't want to hold up this project anymore than it already is, and it's not worth the cost. I was never too attached to the title, truth be told, and I'm getting a lot of feedback that other people were never crazy about it either. In fact almost everyone I'd told this to has been kinda relieved! It's easy to change it at this stage...I'd just change the logo and web site. I haven't made any publicity material or anything yet, so this news came at a good time and might even be a blessing in disguise.

I need a new title, and I'd like it to maybe be something that everyone understands...not just comic geeks. If you have any ideas, send them to me only if you have the understanding that the only reward you'll get is a screen credit. No one is getting paid for a title. Period. I've got nothing more to give. I really like quirky titles like "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Something like that would be awesome. "Bagged and boarded" trademark owner: if you're reading this, feel free to call back and preferably not at midnight this time.

Here's a fun video I found on youtube: