Can you copyright, or trademark a made up word, or name?

You can trademark a name for a common item (like Zippo for lighters) or you can copy-write a book, essay or artwork - all you have to do is go to your printer and ask him to put the letter c inside a circle and put in your piece - usually as a small printed line at the bottom of the page. There is no other formal way to copy-write. The way you protect your copy-write, is to take a copy of your published work, and put it in a envelop and seal it very well, then send it to yourself - this will prove (by date of mailed piece) that you thought of this first, and that you can prove in a court of law, should someone actually steal your printed plans/ideas/corporation paperwork, what ever. A long time ago, I was working for this fellow, and he decided to print up a coupon type flyer and he named it "The good life" - about 6 months into production, he received a letter from an attorney, who informed him that he would have to stop using that title for his coupon flyer - as it was being used in a real newsletter, and if he continued - he would be sued for any profits for as long as he insisted on producing the flyer.