fruffenach

Anyone know where I can get plastic spirit bottles? I am working on a product I want packaged in a spirits bottle but using glass is not practical. It will not contain alcohol, I just want it to look like a real spirits bottle. I'm flexible on size. Thanks

How long is the survey open for? It says it will be open until 7/15 but I tried it anyway.

Brother Vilgalys and Bluestar, Thanks for replying to my questions and the helpful information. I realize talking to an attorney may be required but finding out as much as I can prior will make the time I do use more productive. Because I am planning on doing a bourbon and it will obviously take a while for to be aged to the point where it can be sold, I was hoping to get the trademark for the name and build interest in it prior to its release. From what I have read, this does not seem possible because I'm not ready to sell it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has thought about this, I thought there might be a creative way to get around this requirement. Now I'm not saying you can do this but I had the idea of creating the brand and selling tshirts with the bourbons name on it. This way I could trademark the design because I would be selling shirts with the logo on it. I'm just trying to be creative in how I work around this. This may not be a wise idea though. I have do do some more research but it seems someone has trademarked "Bourbon" in a logo for clothing, hats... Bluestar, I took a quick look at trademarkia, I have also looked at legal zoom to do the same thing. Any drawbacks to either one that you found?

Excuse me? I asked a few questions because I DID look at the Patent and Trademark Office's website and that is why I have the questions. Not to mention , where do you come off telling me I can't do this myself, I asked a question?

Can anyone help me out with understanding the order you need to do things when applying for a trademark? My business hasn't been officially created yet (I'm still struggling with the LLC vs Scorp path), Do I need to be concerned with the business name as far as the trademark goes? Have you guys trademarked your business name as well as your products name? I have a name in mind for a brand I would like to use and want to claim it. I am confused about the part where the rules say it has to be in use. How can I do that if the spirit isn't being sold yet. Any suggestions on how to get around this? say coming soon on a web site? inclusion on a prospectus for investment?... I obviously don't want to go to far if I am going to have a conflict with anyone so at what point to you come up with the picture part of it? Meaning, do I go head and have someone work with me on creating an image for it even though its not official. I was thinking about using designcrowd to come up with something. I'm not sure if I will do this myself with something like legalzoom or go through an attorney yet. Since I plan on focusing on bourbon, does anyone see an issue with going through an attorney who handles a lot of the trademark work for a lot of the large bourbon distilleries here in KY. I am going to be small and don't want to have to deal with issues from the big distilleries. I am thinking any conflicts could be avoided this way. Thanks, Fred

This is a little off from the original post but part of the responses relate to my question. I am trying to determine the correct permits I need as far as the TTB goes and have received mixed responses. First, a very abbreviated version of my plan: In order to get things up and running and to market faster, I want to purchase aged bourbon barrels, age them and then have it bottled. I will purchase from a DSP and transfer to a DSP for aging and bottling. At no time will I ever actually be storing the spirits myself or have physical possession. I have been told all I need is a basic wholesale permit to do this and I am pretty sure there are people out there doing this based on a wholesale permit. Now for my question. I looked at the TTB regulations mentioned above but they don't seem to address what I want to do. I had contacted the TTB about using a home address on the permit application since I will never have possession of the spirits but they never really addressed my question and gave me information on a DSP Permit. To me, it doesn't seem like there are any references to this type of business model. Can anyone help clarify this for me? Thanks, Fred

Can anyone tell me if this is a realistic plan and offer anything obvious I am not considering. I would like to create my own bourbon. To do this, I am considering two paths. The first is to start a micro distillery as most of you have. It is something I want to do but my hesitation is I really want to make bourbon. The time it will take to get one up and running and the aging requirements are important factors in my decision. I will most likely venture into other spirits but it will not be my main focus if I did a micro distillery. In order to get things rolling and establish a brand with a better funded marketing plan rather than buying a still, I am considering having someone else distil it for me. I have not explored completely the next steps as far as aging, location of barrels when being aged or bottling yet. I want this to be a true KY bourbon so I am hoping to find someone to make it for me in KY. I have many reasons for this but I haven't had much luck yet. Once I find someone to make it, I will concentrate on the legal issues. Will the TTB be helpful and tell me the paperwork I need if I call? At a minimum, I am assuming I would have to be bonded So I can have it transferred to me to bottle and label it and then transfer it to a distributor to sell it. In KY, I would have to sell it to a distributer and then buy it back for tastings. Does this plan sound realistic? Thanks in advance, Fred

You can add another one to the list from Bucks County. I'm just outside Louisville KY now and trying to get something started. I will have to look into the Philly distilleries next time I'm up there. Fred

Can anyone point me in the right direction for finding a contract distiller for bourbon. I would really like it to be in KY as I think it will be important for marketing purposes in addition to the fact I live there. I have already tried some of the bigger ones without much luck. My intention is to create a new bourbon through contract distilling so I can get things up and running quicker. Eventually, my plan is to do a micro distillery. I realize this isn't as simple as it sounds but I would then be able to concentrate on legal issues, marketing and getting a still up and running. Thanks, Fred