You might be interested in knowing if you can trademark your name if you’re launching a new business or if you simply want to safeguard your personal brand. The quick response is that you can trademark a name, but it’s not necessarily an easy procedure. We’ll go through the specifics of trademarking a given name in this post along with some frequently asked questions about it.
It’s important to understand the distinction between trademarking and copyrighting before getting into the technicalities of trademarking a personal name. Books, music, and other creative works of art are protected by copyright. On the other hand, a trademark protects the words, phrases, symbols, and designs that define and set apart a company or brand.
The preferable choice in the case of a personal name is probably trademarking. This is due to the fact that names and titles are not covered by copyright, and registering a name as a trademark can be more successful in preventing others from using it in ways that might confuse consumers or weaken your brand.
A common name can be trademarked, but protecting it may be more difficult. If you wish to trademark your name, John Smith, you must show that it is distinctive and connected to your specific products or services. This can be accomplished by providing proof that your name is utilized in advertising materials, on goods, or in other situations that make it stand out as a brand.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your name might not be protected by a trademark if it’s too generic or descriptive. For instance, it is unlikely that you would be successful in trademarking “Bookstore” for a bookshop business because the term is too general. Is Trademarking a Name Worthwhile?
The value of trademarking a name depends on a few different things. It may be worthwhile to protect your name if it is an essential component of your brand or company, as it is in the case of a celebrity or personal brand. By trademarking your name, you can stop others from exploiting it in ways that might undermine your reputation or confuse customers.
It might not be worth the time and money to trademark your name if it is not as important to your brand or business. It’s also important to keep in mind that trademark protection is only effective in the nation or area in which it is registered, so if your business is international, you might need to register in several different countries.
Using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) of the USPTO, you can trademark a person’s name for the least amount of money. In addition to any additional fees for things like expedited processing or modifications, the cost to file a trademark application is $275 for each class of products or services.
While going the DIY approach can save you money up front, it’s important to think about consulting a trademark attorney or specialist to make sure your application is thorough and complies with all applicable laws. This can help prevent future problems and improve your chances of registering successfully.
In conclusion, it is feasible to trademark a personal name, although the procedure is not always simple. Before filing for a trademark, decide whether you need to protect your company’s name or brand and whether you are prepared to spend the time and money necessary to do so. If you do decide to proceed, think about collaborating with a trademark expert to make sure your application is thorough and compliant with the law.
If a trademark is used in commerce continuously and the required paperwork and fees are submitted to the relevant government body, it can be registered eternally. To keep their protection, trademarks in the US must be renewed every 10 years.