A registered trade name is a term or symbol that is legally protected and aids in identifying and distinguishing a company’s goods or services from those of competitors. It is a vital asset for any business and is also referred to as a trademark or service mark. When you register a trade name, you gain the right to use it exclusively and the ability to stop others from using a name or logo that is similar to yours.
You must adhere to the requirements established by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in order to register a trade name. To make sure the name or logo you wish to register is not already in use or protected by someone else, you must first conduct a trademark search. You can either do this yourself or have a trademark lawyer do it for you by conducting a search on the USPTO’s internet database.
You can start the registration process after confirming that your trade name is accessible. A trademark application must be submitted to the USPTO, along with a filing fee. A description of your goods or services, along with information on how your trade name or logo will be used, should be included in the application. Several elements, including the distinctiveness of your trade name and its potential to cause confusion with existing registered trademarks, will be taken into account by the USPTO when deciding whether to accept or reject your application.
A certificate of registration will be given to you if your trademark application is accepted. With the help of this certificate, you will be able to use your company name or emblem in connection with your goods and services legally. You will also be able to sue anyone who violates your trademark rights.
Many small business owners are curious about how they can free of charge trademark a name and logo. Unfortunately, there is no free solution to protect your company name or logo. There are, nevertheless, several techniques to lower the cost of trademark registration. For instance, you can apply for a trademark online, which is typically less expensive than doing it on paper. Instead of engaging a trademark lawyer, you can also handle some of the legal work yourself, albeit this might be dangerous if you are unfamiliar with trademark law.
The price to register a trade name in Arizona varies depending on the kind of registration you require. A regular trade name registration costs $10, whereas an expedited registration costs $35. You can also be required to pay legal fees if you employ a trademark lawyer to assist you with the registration procedure in addition to these costs.
The fee to file a DBA (doing business as) in Arizona varies by county, which brings us to our final point. For instance, the charge in Pima County is $10 but it is $50 in Maricopa County. But remember that a DBA registration differs from a trademark registration. While a DBA enables you to use a different name for your company, unlike a trademark, it does not grant you exclusive rights to that name.
In conclusion, a trademark registration is necessary to protect a registered trade name because it is a significant asset for any company. You must adhere to the requirements established by the USPTO and pay a filing fee in order to register a trade name. There are ways to lower your registration expenses even if there is no free way to trademark a name and logo. Consider working with a trademark lawyer in Arizona if you require assistance with trademark registration or DBA registration to make sure your legal rights are upheld.
Depending on the kind of application you submit, the fee to form an LLC in Arizona varies. A paper application costs $85 whereas an online application costs $50 to file. Other costs can also be involved in getting your firm the required licenses and permissions. To learn more about the fees related to forming an LLC in AZ, it is advised to speak with a company attorney or accountant.