I normally don’t highlight specific trademark approvals in posts, because there are just too many to keep up with! However, since so many Silhouette and Cricut sellers make money personalizing Santa Sacks around Christmas I’m taking a second to address the ‘Santa Sack’ trademark.
What’s Going On?
In May, the trademark for ‘Santa Sack’ was approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This means during the upcoming holiday season you cannot legally call a bag a ‘Santa Sack’ and sell it without first obtaining permission in writing from the trademark owner. Usually, a trademark owner will not grant permission without a licensing or royalty fee.
Of course, you can still use the words ‘Santa Sack’ on things like a wooden sign or a tee shirt, because the trademark registration only covers bags (specifically: Laundry bags; Laundry wash bags; Canvas bags for laundry; Cloth bags for laundry; Cloth bags for storage; Portable toy storage bag).
Alternate Wording Suggestions
The approval of this trademark doesn’t mean you can’t sell Santa Sacks, it just means that you cannot call them Santa Sacks. Here’s a few alternates:
- Santa bags
- Santa totes
- Santa packs
*All three terms were checked against the TESS database and are not trademarked as of 9/30/17.
Trademark Registration
Here’s a copy of the trademark registration for Santa Sack:
Spread the word on Pinterest:
Related Posts
Understanding the US Copyright Act of 1976 as a Crafter
What is the Trademark Official Gazette?
Copyrights vs. Trademarks vs. Patents
Trademark Infringements & Alternatives for Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Crafters
How to Search the US Trademark Database & Interpret Results
All About Trademarks in Crafting
Thank you for sharing this information!!
Happy to share!
Just to say that there is a company in the UK that has been in business for some time named Santa Sack Co – so this can’t apply to the UK 🙂
Yes, this is US based. Here’s where you’ll find the trademark database for the UK: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2016/10/25/international-trademark-info-for-crafters/
Can you please give us an idea where we can buy these sand “bags” for wholesale pricing so we can create our on vinyl “Santa bags”?
Thank you for all you do.
Alibaba and AliExpress have several designs at great prices: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2016/10/05/alibaba-aliexpress-dhgate/
Does this mean canadaians can’t use the name either ?
If you are selling in the US, no you can’t. Here’s international trademark information: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/2016/10/25/international-trademark-info-for-crafters/
I have to say, I’m sick to death of people copyrighting craft stuff. Sayings are being copyrighted that are common language, but how many of us small business crafters can afford to fight it? It’s getting ridiculous.
You are not alone, Stacey!