It’s critical to confirm that the name you select for your new company or product has not already been trademarked by another party. Trademarks shield a company’s distinctive identity and forbid competitors from utilizing its name or logo. Legal problems and even expensive litigation may result from a failure to search for existing trademarks. This article will cover additional pertinent issues including how to determine whether a name has previously been registered as a trademark. How to Search for a Trademark Online Searching the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website is the first step in determining whether a name has been trademarked. The USPTO keeps track of both pending and registered trademark applications in a database. The Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) allows you to conduct a free search of the database. Simply type the name or keyword into the search box and press enter. Your search criteria will be matched with results that include the trademark owner’s details, the date of registration, and other information.
The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation is the place to go if you want to register a business name as a trademark there. A trademark application must be submitted, along with a fee. To make sure your name is not already taken, it’s crucial to do a comprehensive search of all registered trademarks before filing your application. How to Tell if a Name Has Been Taken There are further actions you may take to find out if a name is taken in addition to scanning the USPTO database. To find out if the name is already taken, you can perform a quick online search. To find out if the name is taken, you can also search social networking sites and domain name registries. If you’re still concerned, it would be wise to seek legal advice from a trademark expert to make sure you aren’t violating the rights of others.
The life of a trademark is ten years from the date of registration, after which it can be renewed for one more ten-year period. The trademark will stay active as long as the owner uses it in commerce and submits the required renewal paperwork.
To sum up, it’s critical to thoroughly research any already-registered trademarks before settling on a name for your company or product. You can make sure that the name you’ve picked is not already a trademark by using the USPTO database and other search tools. Additionally, it is advisable to seek advice from a trademark lawyer if you wish to register a name in Maryland or have any queries regarding the trademark procedure.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) online filing method, which ranges in price from $225 to $400 per class of products or services, is the most affordable way to trademark a name. However, it is crucial to remember that the procedure can be challenging, and it is advised to get the advice of a trademark lawyer to make sure the procedure is carried out properly.
Unfortunately, there is no free way to trademark a name. A filing fee, which varies based on the type of trademark application and the number of classes of goods or services being registered, must be paid in order to submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It is also advised to work with a trademark attorney, who may charge additional costs, to assist with the filing procedure. There are some affordable choices, though, like using the TEAS Reduced Fee (TEAS RF) application from the USPTO or submitting a trademark application on your own without a lawyer.