The Cost of Copyrighting a Name in Georgia

Any business owner who wishes to safeguard their brand from infringement must first copyright a name. The procedure in Georgia for copyrighting a company name is simple, although it does cost money. So, how much does it cost in Georgia to copyright a name?

In Georgia, registering a company name as a copyright costs $35. This cost is associated with the registration of a service mark, a form of trademark that designates services as opposed to products. The cost also includes registration for five years. The company owner must renew their trademark registration after five years.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s office must receive an application from the business owner in order to copyright a business name in Georgia. A sample of the mark (such as a logo or design), the business name, and a description of the services or goods connected with the business are all required to be included in the application. A certificate of registration will be given to the business owner if the application is approved.

It’s crucial to understand that trademarking a name and copyrighting a name are two different things. While a trademark protects names, logos, and other symbols that identify goods or services, a copyright only covers original works of authorship, such as books, music, or artwork. Trademarks are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), whereas copyrights are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Depending on the type of trademark and the process of registration, registering a business name as a trademark in Georgia might be expensive. To register a trademark, for instance, can cost between $225 and $400 depending on the category of goods or services. In order to help with the trademark registration procedure, business owners may also decide to hire an attorney, which can result in additional expenditures.

There are steps business owners may take to protect their brand without registering a trademark, even though trademarking a name for free is not possible. For instance, someone may make a claim of ownership for a name or trademark by using the TM symbol. However, if another party infringes on their brand, they can find it more difficult to demonstrate ownership in court without a registered trademark.

To sum up, copyrighting a company name in Georgia costs $35 and offers five years of protection. A more thorough kind of protection is provided by trademarking a company name, although there are additional expenses involved. Whether a company chooses to copyright or trademark its name, safeguarding its brand is a crucial step in creating a successful company.