A trademark is any word, name, symbol, device or combination thereof used by a person to identify goods made or sold and to distinguish them from the goods made or sold by another person. In general, you use a trademark to identify a product or goods that are sold (examples include soft drinks, automobiles, magazines and food).
What is a solicitation?
"Solicit" or "solicitation" means any oral or written request, however, communicated, whether directly or indirectly, for a contribution. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(11).
How can I check the status of a charity?
The Tennessee Secretary of State offers an online search of charities. Please note, if you do not locate the organization, please consider the following:
Organization could be exempt from the registration process by statute. Click HERE to learn more.
Organization may file as a $50,000 and Under organization. To search those organizations, please click HERE.
Make sure you are searching under the official legal name of the organization.
How much is the charitable registration fee?
The initial registration fee is $50 dollars. The fee for renewing your registration is based on the following scale:
“Contributions" means the promise or grant of any money or property of any kind or value, including the payment or promise to pay in consideration of a sale, performance or show of any kind which is advertised or offered in conjunction with the name of any charity. “Contribution” does not include bona fide fees, dues or assessments paid by members; provided, that membership is not conferred solely as consideration for making a contribution in response to a solicitation. See T.C.A. §48-101-501(3).
I work for an agency, how many days before a Rulemaking Hearing must I file a notice?
We recommend filing a Notice of Rulemaking Hearing 52 days prior to the hearing.
The T.C.A. requires a notice to be posted 45 days prior to a hearing. In addition to the 45 days, our office is allotted 7 days to process your agency’s notice prior to posting it online.