According to the US Copyright Office, no one owns the copyright on the slogan: "Cowboy Capital of the World." In fact, Bandera isn't even the only city that uses that phrase. Their emblem is service marked with that phrase on it, but as far as our research could find, the slogan itself is fair game.
Martin Luther Leddy started his boot and saddle-making business in 1922 in Brady. After outgrowing his original space, he moved to San Angelo in 1936. Comfortable custom-made boots were not a fashion statement in 1936. They were essential for cowboys.