Protecting your brand identification is crucial when beginning a business, and trademarking your logo is one of the greatest ways to do it. A trademark is something that identifies and separates a brand’s goods or services from those of other companies, such as a phrase, symbol, word, or design. It’s crucial to remember that trademarking a logo costs money. In this post, we’ll go through some of the fees involved in trademarking.
The price of trademarking a logo varies depending on a variety of variables, including the type of trademark you want, the complexity of your logo, the number of classes you wish to register under, and whether you hire an attorney or do it yourself. Fees for trademark registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) start at $225 per class of products or services. Even if your trademark application is refused, this money is not refundable.
Additionally, you will have to pay an attorney’s fees if you decide to utilize one to file your trademark application. Depending on their location, area of practice, and experience, attorneys’ fees can change. While some lawyers may bill a set cost, others might bill by the hour. An attorney will typically cost between $500 and $2,000 to file your trademark application.
Let’s move on to the questions that are connected now. How can you tell if a brand name is already in use? Make sure a brand name is accessible for use before you attempt to trademark it. You can look for existing trademarks using a tool provided by the USPTO called the Trademark Electronic look System (TESS), and you can also check the availability of domain names on the websites of domain name registrars.
How do you obtain LLC then? A sort of corporate structure that offers liability protection to its owners is an LLC, or limited liability company. You must submit articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State’s office in your state in order to establish an LLC. Depending on the state, incorporating an LLC can cost anywhere between $50 and $500.
How can you find out whether your intended company name is already taken? On the Secretary of State’s website in the state where you intend to operate your business, you can perform a business name search. This will demonstrate whether the name has already been registered by another business. To find out if the name has already been trademarked, you can also perform a trademark search.
In conclusion, trademarking a logo is an important step in preserving your brand’s identity even though it costs money. The type of trademark, the complexity of your logo, and the number of classes you want to file under can all affect the cost of trademark registration. Conduct a trademark and business name search to make sure your brand name and logo are available for usage. Additionally, submit your articles of organization to the Secretary of State’s office in your state if you wish to create an LLC.