It’s crucial for business owners to safeguard their brand identities. Copyrighting the name of your company is one approach to achieve this. But getting a copyright may be pricey, frequently costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But did you know that a name can be copyrighted without cost? How? Read on.
It’s crucial to first comprehend that creative works like books, music, and artwork are protected by copyright law. However, trademark law offers protection for company names and logos. Any term, name, symbol, or other design that is used to identify and separate products and services is protected by a trademark.
You must first perform a search to make sure that your intended business name is not already in use by another company before you can apply for trademark protection for it. This can be done either by conducting a thorough search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website or by consulting a trademark lawyer.
You can submit a trademark application to the USPTO once you’ve confirmed that your business name is available. The processing time for the application is normally six months, and it can be submitted online. Depending on the type of application and the number of classes of products and services for which you’re seeking protection, the cost to file a trademark application can range from $225 to $600.
It’s significant to remember that common law provides some protection even if you don’t seek for trademark protection. This implies that you may be able to stop others from using the same or a similar name if you can demonstrate that you were the first to use it in connection with your business.
Along with ensuring that your company name is protected, it’s critical to select a name that appropriately represents your brand and appeals to your target market. For instance, while naming your café, take into account the ambiance, menu, and general vibe of your business. A French-inspired coffee shop can choose a name like “Bistro Belle” or “Café Magnifique” to convey a feeling of sophistication and elegance.
Choosing and safeguarding your company name is crucial to creating a strong brand, in the end. You may make sure that your company name is legitimately protected and appropriately reflects your brand identity by doing the actions mentioned above.