Any firm, no matter how big or little, must register a trademark. It enables you to safeguard your brand and stop unauthorized use of it by third parties. While doing research on trademarking, you might get across the phrases SM and R. What do they actually imply, though, and what is the least expensive way to trademark? Let’s start now. What exactly is SM?
Service Mark is referred to as SM. It is used to identify and set apart a company’s services from those of competitors. It could be a word, phrase, symbol, or visual representation of the products or services offered by your company. The golden arches of McDonald’s are an illustration of a service mark.
Registered is the initials R. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has registered a trademark when you see the ® symbol next to a logo or name. The TM symbol is yours to use and extra legal protection is provided by registering your trademark.
Making your own trademarks is the most affordable option. Through the USPTO website, a trademark application can be submitted online. A basic trademark application currently costs $350 per class of goods or services. But bear in mind that the application procedure can be challenging, and errors might result in denials or delays. It is essential to speak with a trademark lawyer if you have any questions or worries.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free trademark. As previously stated, submitting a trademark application costs payment. To find out if your preferred name is taken or too similar to an existing trademark, you can perform a free preliminary search on the USPTO website.
Once more, a logo cannot be free to trademark. However, you are not need to register a logo in order to develop and use it commercially. Common law trademark protection refers to this. Common law protection, however, is constrained and only covers the region in which you are utilizing the logo. You must file a logo registration with the USPTO in order to receive comprehensive legal protection and the right to use the ® symbol.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to comprehend what SM and R mean when it comes to trademarking your company. There are affordable ways to protect your brand even if there is no free way to trademark. You may make sure your company is legally protected by submitting a trademark application and, if necessary, seeking legal advice from a trademark attorney.