How to Register a Trademark in Vermont?
Introduction
It's important to protect your business's name and logo, which are often referred to as trademarks. If another person or company is using the same or similar name or logo for their own business, you may have grounds for a trademark infringement lawsuit. You can begin the process of protecting your trademarks by filing an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Conduct a Search
Search the USPTO's trademark database. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will check your proposed trademark against existing trademarks to make sure that it's not being registered in error or used by another person or business. It will also help you find out if a similar trademark is already on file with the USPTO so as to avoid any potential confusion among consumers of your product or service. The best way to conduct this search is through their online TESS database, which allows you to search for similar trademarks in terms of appearance, sound and meaning through both exact matches and broad searches using keywords from your description as parameters for comparison.
File an Application
The next step is to file an application for your trademark with use-based applications being the most common. This step can be done electronically or through paper forms, but each of these will have its own requirements. The USPTO provides a complete list of these requirements on their website, but some of the most common include:
- A statement of use or intention to use the mark in commerce in connection with the goods/services identified above.
- A drawing of your mark
- An example of how you plan to use your trademark
Respond to Office Actions
After you submit your application, the USPTO will review it for a period of time. If they find something wrong with your filing, they'll send a notice to let you know. You have six months to respond to this notice, otherwise your registration could be denied or delayed.
If there's an issue with your trademark filing and you can't resolve it on your own, we're here to help. Our experienced trademark attorneys are ready to defend your rights in court if necessary.
Renew your trademark
If your trademark is registered, you must renew it. The renewal application must be filed between the fifth and sixth year after registration. The fee for renewal is $200 per class of goods or services. File the renewal application by mail or online before the sixth year mark in order to keep your trademark active.
Takeaway
Trademarks serve to identify the source of goods and services in any market. A trademark allows consumers to distinguish one product from another based on its brand name or logo. Companies spend millions of dollars ensuring that they have a unique trademark so they can protect their business interests by preventing competitors from using similar names for their products.
If you've created a unique trademark, it's important to protect it so no one else can use it.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you learn more about how to trademark your company name or product. The first step is always to conduct a search of the USPTO's trademark database; if your desired mark is not already registered, then it's time for filing an application with the USPTO.
