In the USA a trademark can be filed for phrases and names , and some sounds associated with an IP. Most sounds and music would probably have to go through a publisher for copyright protection. Also if the sound is accepted as a trademark in the USA, its over use in culture or lack of connection to a specific phrase or logo would deem it unprotected so any trademark inforcement my not be held up in court. This filing at least from the article sounds only to apply to Japan with speculation about worldwide protection. So let's not freak out unless we are in Japan using the coin sound for commercial use. Please keep in mind I am speaking from a USA perspective and my own involvement in copyright law.
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Re: Nintendo Seeks a Trademark for Mario Coin Sound
In the USA a trademark can be filed for phrases and names , and some sounds associated with an IP. Most sounds and music would probably have to go through a publisher for copyright protection. Also if the sound is accepted as a trademark in the USA, its over use in culture or lack of connection to a specific phrase or logo would deem it unprotected so any trademark inforcement my not be held up in court. This filing at least from the article sounds only to apply to Japan with speculation about worldwide protection. So let's not freak out unless we are in Japan using the coin sound for commercial use. Please keep in mind I am speaking from a USA perspective and my own involvement in copyright law.