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Patents and Trademarks
William Fuld | Carrie Fuld | William A Fuld | Isaac Fuld

William Fuld
July 24th 1870 - February 24th 1927
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William Fuld

It's been suggested that William Fuld owned more Ouija patents and trademarks than any other person in history. We believe that's a safe bet. In all he had four United States patents, three U.S. copyrights, eight U.S. trademarks, one Canadian patent, three Canadian trademarks, one U.K. patent, and one U.K. trademark. That's a whopping total of twenty one registrations in three countries! We think he certainly earned the title of Father of the Ouija Board. Some of these patents are for improvements on the pointer or planchette. They aren't easy reading but there are some real gems hidden in these. It's within these registrations that we discovered Ouija Oil and Ouija Jewelry. William and Washington Bowie Jr. used these registrations to protect the good name of the Ouija board in the lawsuits he brought against those who infringed upon it. William had countless letters sent out to the trade, customers, and those who sold copycat boards warning them that he alone manufactured the original Ouija board.

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Elijah Bond
Patent 446,054

U.S. Patents
Patent No. 446,054
February 10th 1891

The holy grail of Ouija board patents though this one was not registered by William Fuld but rather Elijah J. Bond. However, in a few short years William would take possession of it and build his Ouija board empire. This was the very first patent on at talking board registered in the United States. “My invention relates to improvements in toys or games, which I designate as an “Ouija or Egyptian luck-board;” and the objects of the invention are to produce a toy or game by which two or more persons can amuse themselves by asking questions of any kind and having them answered by the device used and operated by the touch of hand, so that the answers are designated by letters on the board. The invention consists of a board suitable thickness, having the letters of the alphabet printed, painted, engraved, or affixed upon it in any suitable manner, but flush with the surface, and also the numerals from 1-0, inclusive as well as other configurations, and in conjunction therewith of a peculiarly—shaped table having legs and a pointer, and said table operated by the hand when placed upon said board, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter, and specifically pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters marked thereon.”

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William Fuld
Patent No. 479,266

Patent No. 479,266
July 19th 1892

William Fuld's first talking board patent is interesting for two reasons, both often overlooked. In redesigning the pointer he implemented the use of magnetized wires or magnetism. This was a very popular practice of the time when contacting the other side. He also mentions that not only did his talking board answer your questions it also asked questions back! “A question is now asked, and by the involuntary muscular motion of the hands of the players, or through some other agency, the frame will commence to move across the table. If now the finger marked by the number “1” has been selected as the finger which is to spell out the answer, then the answer of the board is obtained by placing in succession the letters or numerals to which this finger 1 points successively during the ravels of the pointer-frame upon the table. Any letters pointed to by the other finger (marked “2”) will, when placed together in proper order, form words which constitute questions that the players must answer before the board will reply to the preceding question.”

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William Fuld
Patent No. 1,125,833

Patent No. 1,125,833
January 19th 1915

William used his second talking board patent to firm up his Ouija business, and he used this patent to warn his brother Isaac and all those who manufactured faux Ouija boards that he would use any legal means at his disposal to put them out of business. The figure used in this patent is the design from his Oracle board. William assigned this patent to his first child Carrie Fuld. “My invention relates to an improvement to talking boards, and particularly the class of boards known as the ouija boards, and the object of the invention is to produce a game in which two or more persons can amuse themselves by asking questions of any kind and having them answered by the device used and operated by the touch of the hand, so that the answers are designated by letters on the board. A further object is the provision of the means whereby the letters, numerals, and symbols can be readily observed by the players of operators as the device is moved about the board.”

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William Fuld
Design Patent No. 56,001

Patent No. D56,001
August 10th 1920

As his previous talking board patents expired William employed another layer of legal protection. By using design patents he could protect how certain aspects o his talking boards looked in relation to their function. In fact, the design of the Ouija board's planchette still matches the one illustrated here. Before the window was added, William's planchettes or pointers were still heart shaped but only pointed to the letter on the board rather than resting over it. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United Sates, residing in Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, have invented a new, original, and ornamental Design for the moveable member of the Talking-Board, of which the following is the specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part thereof. The figure is a plain view of a table, showing my new design. I claim: The ornamental design for the moveable member of a talking board as shown.”

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William Fuld
Design Patent No. 56,658

Patent No. D56,658
November 23rd 1920

Just as in the design patent above, this patent is on how the planchette or pointer looks. What's different? This particular planchette was used with William's Oracle and Mystifying Oracle boards. The diamond shaped pointer was unique, and he wanted to protect it. By registering this design patent, he would ensure it. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United Sates, residing in Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented a new, original, and ornamental Design for the Moveable Member of the Talking-Board, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part thereof. Figure is a plan view of a table, showing my new design and Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. I claim: The ornamental design for the moveable member of a talking board as shown.”

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Kennard Novelty Company
Trademark No. 18,919

U.S. Trademarks
Trademark No. 18,919
February 3rd 1891

Who knew that the word Ouija would beat all the other names people would give talking boards? Well apparently Elijah Bond and the Kennard Novelty Company did. William Fuld didn't register this mark, rather the Kennard Novelty Company did with Harry Welles Rusk as its president. After taking over, William Fuld would become the owner of this trade-mark and market the heck out of the brand making it one of the most recognized game in history. “Be it known that the Kennard Novelty Company, a corporation created and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and locate and doing business at Baltimore, Maryland, has adopted for its use a Trade-Mark for Toys, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification. The said trade-mark consists of the arbitrary or fanciful word “Ouija,” pronounced “We-Ja.” This word, as shown in the accompanying facsimile, is composed of script lettering: but the style of lettering may be changed at pleasure, and the word may be associated with any desired pictorial or descriptive matter, without altering the character of the trade-mark, the essential feature of which is the word “Ouija.” The trade-mark has been used continuously in the business since July 1, 1890.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 37,806

Trademark No. 37,806
February 18th 1902

William's first Ouija related trademark, Oracle was the trademark he would use on his second, less expensive talking board. William saw early on that there would be fierce competition in the talking board business. He offered this line and by doing so captured even more customers. In time, the mark would become Mystifying Oracle and eventually merge into the now recognizable saying “Ouija the Mystifying Oracle” printed on Ouija boards today. “My trademark consists of the word-symbol “Oracle.” This has generally been arranged as shown in the accompanying facsimile-that is to say, placed in a straight line in the middle of a round lozenge, the outline of the lozenge forming a frame or border for the field containing the word. I prefer to print or stamp the letters composing the word in plain heavy letters; but the style of the lettering is unimportant, as the essential feature of my trade-mark is simply the word “Oracle.” This trade-mark I have used continuously in my business since the 1st day of February 1892.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 130,142

Trademark No. 130,142
April 6th 1920

Perhaps William anticipated trouble renewing the general Oracle mark or maybe he thought it just sounded better. From then on William's other boards would carry this new name. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore City, State of Maryland, and doing business at Nos. 1226-1228-1306 N. Central Ave., in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for a game known as a talking-board, in Class No. 22, Games, toys, and sporting goods. I am the owner of trade-mark registration No. 37,806, dated Feb. 18, 1902 The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since February 1st, 1892. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown, or by stamping the mark directly on the goods.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 137,521

Trademark No. 137,521
November 23rd 1920

As the Ouija board grew in popularity so did its nick name the Egyptian Luck Board. While it's sister board was walking like an Egyptian the Mystifying Oracle was going Hindu. Thus, the Mystifying Oracle Hindu Luck Board was born. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, and doing business at Harford Avenue, Lamont Avenue, and Federal Street, in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for talking-boards, in Class No. 22, Games, toys, and sporting goods. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since the year 1896. Applicant is the registrant and present owner of registrations No. 37,806, February 18, 1902, and No. 130,142, April 6, 1920. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown, or in any other convenient or desired manner.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 140,126

Trademark No. 140,126
March 8th 1921

The word Ouija had worked its way into pop culture and in 1920 there weren't many Americans who didn't know what a Ouija board was. However, William was never one to rest on his laurels and in order to reach a different population he began selling Ouija Jewelry. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, and doing business at Harford Avenue, Lamont Avenue, and Federal Street, in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for jewelry for personal wear, not including watches, in Class 28, Jewelry and precious metal ware. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since the Nov., 1919. The trade-mark is applied to the receptacles containing the goods by printing the same thereon or by placing thereon a printed label bearing the trade-mark, or may be stamped directly on the goods.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 142,200

Trademark No. 142,200
March 3rd 1921

How do you pronounce Ouija? We- ja or Wee-jee? Though i doubt William cared much how you pronounced it as long as you bought it, he tried to settle the debate with this trademark on We-ja for his talking boards. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, and doing business at Nos. 1226-1228-1306 N. Central Ave., in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for talking-boards, in Class No. 22, Games, toys, and sporting goods. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since 1892. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown, or by stamping the mark directly on the talking-boards.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 143,008

Trademark No. 143,008
May 24th 1921

Mysterious and all knowing, the Ouija board had a vested interest in making sure your rheumatism didn't get too bad. If you your hands couldn't hold the planchette then you couldn't make contact with the other side. What good would your Ouija board be if you couldn't use it? A truly unique expression of the times not many Ouija Oil bottles have survived. Rumor has it the oil worked great for polishing your wood paneling as well. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, resident at Baltimore, State of Maryland, and doing business at Harford Avenue, Lamont Avenue, and Federal Street, in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, no claim being made for for the word “Oil” except in connection with the mark as shown, for liniment for rheumatism, in Class 6, Chemicals, medicines, and pharmaceutical preparations. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since January, 1920. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 148,331

Trademark No. 148,331
November 8th 1921

Since 1890 the Ouija board had been known as the Egyptian Luck Board. However, it wasn't until the 1920's when that nickname was trademarked. Competitors were coming up with their own Egyptian themed boards and William had to protect that. As far as we know the Ouija board has no association with Egypt nor did its sister board, the Mystifying Oracle the Hindu Luck Board have anything to do with the Far East. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, resident at Baltimore, State of Maryland, and doing business at Harford Avenue, Lamont Avenue, and Federal Street, in said city, have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for talking-boards, in Class No. 22, Games, toys, and sporting goods. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business since the year 1897. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown or in any other convenient or desired manner.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 164,563

Trademark No. 164,563
February 20th 1923

Forged from what some say is a figure eight or infinity symbol, this new Ouija mark appeared on talking boards for some time. It was an update from the very stencilized looking original Ouija trademark. This registration is helpful because William mentions his predecessors the Kennard Novelty Company and the Ouija Novelty Company. “Be it known that I, William Fuld, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, and doing business at Nos. 1226-1228-1306 N. Central Ave., in said city, am the owner of trade-mark registrations Nos. 18,919, of Feb 3, 1891, 148,331, of Nov. 8, 1921, and have adopted and used the trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing, for talking-boards, in Class No. 22, Games, toys, and sporting goods. The trade-mark has been continuously used in my business, and in the business of my predecessors Kennard Nov. Co. and Ouija Novelty Co. since July 1,1890. The trade-mark is applied or affixed to the goods, or to the packages containing the same, by placing thereon a printed label on which the trade-mark is shown or by stamping the mark directly on the talking-boards. The mark has been in bona fide use for not less than one year in interstate commerce by the applicant.”

U.S. Copyrights
Copyright No. 526,559
March 27, 1919

The directions to the Ouija were arguable the most copied part of the Ouija board and William tried to protect them by copyrighting them.

Copyright No. 531,033
July 25, 1919

Just as William copyrighted the direction for the Ouija board above he did the same thing for the directions of its sister board the Mystifying Oracle.

Copyright No. 5,358
September 21, 1920

This copyright was for the drawings of the people playing the Ouija board used in advertisements and later found on the lower right and left hand corners of the boards. The Fuld family remembers this drawing being penned by William Andrew Fuld.

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William Fuld
Patent No. 165,774

Canadian Patents
Patent No. 165,774
November 2nd 1915

Like the U.S. version William filed this patent to ward off competition and protect his Ouija board though this time in Canada. While the Copp Clark company in Canada continued to make Ouija boards under their original agreement with the International Novelty Company William registered this patent to stop any trend from forming and protect the improvements noted below. He assigned this patent to his first child Carrie Fuld. The drawing attached to the patent is the design for William's Oracle board. “My invention relates to an improvement in Talking-Boards and particularly in that class of boards known as the Ouija Boards, and the object of the invention is to produce a game with which two or more persons can amuse themselves by asking questions of any kind and having them answered by the device used and operated by the touch of the hand, so that the answers are designated by letters on the board. A further object is the provision of the means whereby the letters, numerals, and symbols can be readily observed by the players of operators as the device is moved about the board.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 104 Folio 24,707

Canadian Trademarks
Trademark No. 104 Folio 24,707
June 30th 1919

As with its U.S. registration this mark would protect and clarify how one pronounces the word Ouija which according to this would be We-Ja. By registering this word, he further protected others from infringing upon his territory. It reads “I, William Fuld, of the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, United States of America, hereby request you to register in my name, a General Trade-Mark, which I verily believe is mine, on account of having been the first to make use of the same. I hereby declare that the said General Trade Mark was not in use to my knowledge by any other person than myself at the time of my adoption thereof. The said General Trade Mark consists of the word “We-Ja.” A drawing of the said general trade mark is hereunto annexed.”

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William Fuld
Trademark 104 Folio 24,708

Trademark No. 104 Folio 24,708
June 30th 1919

William also offered the Oracle or Mystifying Oracle in Canada, and therefore he wanted to protect it as well. Though the drawing itself shows “Mystifying Oracle” the writing only the word “Oracle.” This mark was registered as William began to transition from Oracle to Mystifying Oracle. It reads “I, William Fuld, of the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, United States of America, hereby request you to register in my name, a General Trade-Mark, which I verily believe is mine, on account of having been the first to make use of the same. I hereby declare that the said General Trade Mark was not in use to my knowledge by any other person than myself at the time of my adoption thereof. The said General Trade Mark consists of the word “Oracle.” A drawing of the said general trade mark is hereunto annexed.”

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William Fuld
Trademark No. 104 Folio 24,709

Trademark No. 104 Folio 24,709
June 30th 1919

Thus far William had relied on the U.S. version of his Ouija trademark to ward off competition. In 1919 William decided the Canadian market could significantly increase the Ouija boards reach. His U.S. trademark offered some protection but to attempt to enforce his trademark and stop Copp Clark from using the word Ouija he needed it to be registered in Canada. After it was registered Copp Clark raised questions how this was allowed since they had legally been using the mark since 1892. It reads “I, William Fuld, of the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, United States of America, hereby request you to register in my name a General Trade-Mark, which I verily believe is mine, on account of having acquired it from the Kennard Novelty Company, who, I verily believe, was the first to make use of the same. I hereby declare that the said General Trade Mark was not in use to my knowledge by any other person than myself at the time of my adoption thereof. The said General Trade Mark consists of the word “Ouija.” A drawing of the said general trade mark is hereunto annexed.”

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William Fuld
Patent 146,112

U.K. Patents
Patent No. 146,112
December 30th 1920

This is William's third registration of this patent. Once he had secured his newest talking board patent in the U.S. and Canada, he turned his attention to the United Kingdom. What makes this version remarkable is its use of the term “telepathic appliances for amusement.” It reads “This invention relates to improvements in appliances for indicating telepathic and like messages, more particularly to that class of appliance known as the ouija board. The invention has for its object to provide a game appliance whereby two or more persons can amuse themselves by asking questions of any kind and having them answered by the device used and operated by the touch of the hand, so that the answers are designated by letters or the like on the board.”

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William Fuld
Trademark 405,505

U.K. Trademarks
Trademark No. 405,505
April 25th 1921

William Fuld's final Ouija trademark abroad was registered in the United Kingdom. He now had secured the word legally in the three countries he did the biggest business in. He now had the legal footing he needed to stop others from using his trademark. It reads “To My William Fuld, I hereby certify, pursuant to Rule 61 of the Trade Mark Rules, 1920, that the Trade Mark in your application No. 405,505 was duly advertised in No. 2,240 of the Trade Mars Journal and has been registered in your name in Class 49 in respect to the goods specified by you, viz: Games and Toys.”