The Rocket offers a new take on local music, entertainment and art news. Our mission is to inform and promote Seattle area artists and their fans, as well as all those businesses and individuals that support them.
Today, can get your news in an instant, anywhere you are, whether you are on a computer or your phone. So, The Rocket is being launched as an online-only news publication. While we may have the same name as the printed newspaper of the past, The Rocket is not related to or affiliated with the former publication of the same name. The Rocket newspaper went out of business more than two decades ago and is defunct. You won’t find any content from the previous Rocket here. We are not a restart. We are completely new and unrelated.
FAQ
Q: How are you able to use the same name as the newspaper that closed down more than 20 years ago?
A: Business names, brand names, product names, and brand logos are subject to trademark law, which states that in order to protect a particular name or logo, you must continually use it in commerce (business where money is exchanged for goods or services). If a business closes or ceases to use that trademark, they lose trademark protection. Under federal law, a trademark is considered abandoned if it has not been used in commerce for three consecutive years (see Section 45 of the Lanham Act). Names and titles are not copyrightable (see Code of Federal Regulations Title 37 § 202.1). Logos cannot be copyrighted either, except in instances where there is a significant amount of authorship (complex logos, for example, that involved a lot of artistic work). The Rocket’s logo is simply the name in an italic typographic variation of a commonly available font and not subject to copyright protection. For more information about trademarks and copyrights, visit https://www.uspto.gov/ and https://www.copyright.gov/.
Q: Is it common for trademarks from companies that went out of business to get reused by someone new?
A: It is very common for new companies to revive old trademarks that were left unused, expired, or forgotten. It’s like giving new life to something that was abandoned. They do this to create their own unique brand and benefit from the existing reputation associated with those trademarks.
In fact, many widely recognized brands that you may be familiar with are actually revived names from companies that went out of business. It would probably surprise you to learn just how many companies you think have been around for a long time are actually new businesses using old, well-established names. In the business world, this practice is a widely accepted way for new businesses to establish their presence in the market and benefit from the recognition of established brand names.
Q: Will you be reprinting old issues or articles from the printed newspaper, The Rocket, which ran from 1979 to 2000?
A: No. We are a completely new business. We do not have any affiliation with the previous newspaper of the same name, as that company went out of business more than two decades ago and is now defunct. We make no claim to any copyright protected content previously published by that company. Therefore, you will not find any of the defunct printed newspaper’s copyrighted content, such as articles or artwork, here. The University of Washington apparently maintains an archive of the printed newspaper, if you are seeking that material.
Q: So, this site is completely new and has nothing to do with the old newspaper?
A: Yes! We are an all new company. This is not a restart of the defunct business that closed more than two decades ago.
Q: I was a reader of the newspaper, what if I don’t like that your site exists?
A: Good or bad, nostalgia can be a powerful emotion. The newspaper was great, but that business has been closed and defunct for more than two decades. That’s a very, very long time. Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on the opportunities that The Rocket website brings to the table.
If you’re a musician, a business owner, or part of an arts organization, The Rocket offers you a fantastic FREE platform to showcase your work. Our revenue is generated through online ads, so we don’t need to charge local businesses anything, though we will be offering sponsorship opportunities in the future. Our mission is to wholeheartedly support the local music, entertainment, and arts scene. If you’re a writer, we welcome your articles with open arms. And if you’re a talented photographer, we’d be thrilled to feature your photos, always giving you full credit, of course.
Keep in mind that a significant number of our visitors either weren’t born or were just young children when the newspaper was active. The Rocket website is an all new publication for a new generation.
If it’s still not for you, the Seattle area has several other sources for music, entertainment and art news.
Q: Who owns The Rocket?
A: The Rocket is owned and operated by The Rocket, LLC., a legal entity. The Rocket, LLC is the only legally established owner of The Rocket and its associated trademarks.
