Entrepreneurs and business owners understand how crucial it is to safeguard their brands. Therefore, registering a trademark is essential. A trademark is a form of legal protection that grants your company the sole right to use a specific name, symbol, or tagline. However, obtaining a trademark can be a challenging process. Here is all the information you require.
1. Carry out a trademark search You must carry out a thorough trademark search prior to submitting an application for a trademark. You can utilize the search to find out if the name you want to trademark is already being used. On the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) website, you can perform a trademark search. You can use this free search tool to look up both registered and pending trademarks.
2. Submit an application for a trademark You can submit a trademark application once you’ve made sure the name you want to trademark is available. Through the USPTO website, the application process can be completed online. You must fill out an application and include details about your company, the name you wish to trademark, and the type of goods or services you supply.
3. Permit the trademark examiner to examine your application. An examiner for trademarks will go through your application after you submit it. The examiner will ensure that your application satisfies all trademark eligibility standards. In the event that the examiner finds any problems, they will give you an office action letter outlining the problems you must resolve.
4. Obtain Trademark Registration
A trademark registration certificate will be given to you if your trademark application is accepted. The certificate grants you the sole right to employ the name, symbol, or tagline you have registered as a trademark for your company. Is a Trademark Preferable to Copyright?
Copyright and a trademark are two different types of legal defense. While copyright protects the actual works of authorship like books, music, and art, a trademark protects the name, logo, or slogan of your company. Both types of legal protection are necessary for safeguarding your brand, but a trademark works better to safeguard your company name, logo, or tagline.
Different degrees of protection are offered by a federal trademark vs a state trademark. A federal trademark offers protection across the country, but a state trademark is only recognized in the state in which it is registered. The best course of action is to register a federal trademark if you intend to conduct business in several states. How Can I Protect My Company Name?
By securing a trademark, you can defend the name of your company. A trademark grants you the sole right to use a specific name, symbol, or tagline for your company. Once you have a trademark, you can file a lawsuit to stop unauthorized use of your company name. Do You Have Copyright on a Name? Unable to copyright a name. Only original works of authorship, such as books, music, and works of art, are protected by copyright. You need to register a trademark in order to protect your company name.