You might be unsure of which method is preferable for safeguarding your company name, logo, or other intellectual property. Depending on the kind of intellectual property you want to protect, both trademark and copyright laws give several levels of protection.
While copyright is intended to protect creative works like books, music, and artwork, trademarking a name is often used to protect brand names, logos, and slogans. If you’re not sure which is better for your company, take into account the following:
The best course of action is to register your company name or logo as a trademark. A trademark can assist in preventing others from using a name or logo that is identical to yours, which may confuse buyers. On the other hand, copyright is the best option if you’ve produced a distinctive creative work. 2. For how long do you want to keep it safe?
If trademarks are renewed every ten years, they can be protected permanently. However, copyright protection is valid for the author’s lifetime plus an additional 70 years. This indicates that trademarking would be a preferable choice if you’re searching for long-term protection.
With costs ranging from $225 to $400 per class of products or services, trademarking can be pricey. The cost of copyright registration, on the other hand, ranges from $35 to $55 for each work. However, if you want long-term protection, the cost of trademarking can be worthwhile.
There are various actions you may take to safeguard your company identity. To make sure no one else is using a name that sounds similar, start by doing a comprehensive search. In order to prevent others from using the same name in your state, you can also register your business name with your state.
There is no free way to trademark your logo, which is sad. There are a few low-cost alternatives, though, such using a DIY internet service or employing a trademark lawyer to guide you through the procedure.
Word marks, design marks, and trade dress are the three different categories of trademarks. Design marks safeguard a logo’s design, whereas word marks safeguard words, phrases, and symbols. Trade dress safeguards a product or service’s whole appearance and feel, including the packaging and design.
In conclusion, trademark and copyright regulations provide crucial commercial safeguards. Consider what you want to protect, how long you want to protect it for, and how much you’re willing to spend when choosing which one to utilize. You can protect your company name, logo, and other intellectual property from infringement by putting the correct safeguards in place.
Without a trademark, you run the risk of someone else using a name or emblem that is close to or identical to yours, confusing customers and maybe damaging your brand. Additionally, if someone else violates your intellectual property, it could be challenging to protect your rights without a trademark. Legal protection and the ability to stop unauthorized use of your brand name or emblem are two benefits of trademark registration.