If you are a business owner, you must protect your company’s assets. This includes your logo, slogan and name. One way to do this is by trademarking the name of your company or product. A trademark will not only help protect what belongs to you but it will also give you exclusive rights to use the title in connection with certain goods or services under federal law.
How do you successfully protect your business with a trademark?
First, it is crucial to make sure that the name or logo of your business has not already been taken. This can be done by searching for prior trademarks through an online search engine such as Google Patents, which will show any current listings on record. If there are any listings, then you will need to come up with a new name.
Once your business or product has an original title, start using your logo as soon as possible to protect your rights under federal trademark law. This includes putting the logo on your website as well as marketing materials including packaging and labels. It also includes using the logo and/or slogan in advertising.
The next step is to file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This process can take several months, so it is important not to wait too long before filing. You will need a federal trademark for all of the goods and services that you use under one business name.
Finally, it is vital to keep the trademark in good standing by renewing it every ten years and checking for other trademarks that may be released with similar titles or logos.
Benefits of having a trademark
Trademarks are an important and inexpensive way to protect your brand from infringement. The benefits of registering a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trade Office include:
- Being able to use the ® symbol
- Eliminating confusion in the marketplace
- Access to registration on a first-use basis
- Ability to use TM or SM symbols for unregistered trademarks
- No requirement to use the symbol on goods
- Right of refusal if a similar mark is being used
If you are looking for an effective way to protect your business’s assets, it may be beneficial to trademark its name or logo. This can help eliminate confusion in the marketplace and give exclusive rights to the title under federal law.