Internet Legal issues

As a general rule, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office will not register a trademark for a domain name - at least not before it has developed demonstrable "secondary meaning" on the Internet to identify you or your entity as the source of the particular services. You may be able to register a trademark for your "symbol" (which I interpret to mean your logo) and your "slogan." You should run a search on TESS at the USPTO web site (http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=tess&state=4001:ki38ih.1.1) to determine whether your "symbol" and your "slogan" have been claimed by anyone else. Since trademark registration is relatively technical, you should consult with trademark counsel in Atlanta for assistance.

You also will need to develop, publish, and comply with terms of privacy and terms of use before you launch your site.

Disclaimer: This answer is provided as a courtesy. This response does not constitute legal advice, which requires an attorney-client relationship, and this response does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. It is impossible to properly evaluate a legal problem without a detailed consultation and a comprehensive review of all the facts, documents, and/or other materials involved. In addition, if you are in a state other than California (where I am admitted to practice), your state may have different laws. You therefore should not rely on this answer, but should consult with local counsel for definitive guidance.

I often advise my clients to wait until the venture has demonstrated some level of viability before investing in trademark protection. One thing is certain, you do not need to register your trademarks (domain, slogan, or otherwise) in order to conduct business. You will however, as pointed out, want to focus on a sturdy terms of service and privacy policy to be incorporated into the site and its registration process. I would also focus on makig sure that if you hire a developer that you have sound contracts with him or her regarding deliverables, ownership of IP, and other issues.

I hope this helps.

Disclaimer: This answer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute general or specific legal advice, nor create an attorney client relationship.