How to Trademark a Company Name

Introduction

A trademark is a way to protect your brand name, logos, and slogans. It can also help you to win over customers who trust your brand but don’t know much about your business. A trademark doesn’t protect you from copycats or rip-offs—it just lets them know that doing so is illegal and that they'll get caught if they try it!

What is a Trademark?

A trademark serves to identify the source of goods and services so that when a consumer sees it he is reminded about the product features and quality. If you want to protect your brand as a business owner then you must obtain trademark registration for your brand name.

What does a Trademark Provide?

• Trademarks are a form of intellectual property. They protect the names, slogans, logos, and taglines you create for your business.
• A trademark can be used to prevent someone else from using your brand name or logo in a way that might confuse consumers into thinking they're dealing with you when they're not.
• Your trademark also gives you exclusive rights to use that name on various products and services under federal law.

What You Can and Cannot Trademark?

You can trademark a company's name, slogan, and/or logo. The trademark must be unique enough to distinguish your business from others with similar services and products. A trademark does not have to be registered in order for it to be protected. However, if you do register your mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it provides additional legal protections against infringement by third parties and makes it easier for you to recover damages should such an infringement occur.

The Difference Between Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents

Copyright and patent protect the expression of ideas. Trademark protects a name, logo or slogan. The protection is not automatic, it has to be applied for and granted by the federal government (US Patent Office). Copyrights are automatically given to people who create original works like artwork, music, and photos; however, these copyrights do not apply to commercial uses such as reproduction on t-shirts or calendars unless an agreement is made between the artist.

Steps to Register a Trademark

• File an application with the USPTO.
• Register your trademark in the US.
• Register your trademark in other countries if applicable to your business, or all countries if you plan on selling internationally (this may incur additional filing fees).
• Ensure that you maintain proper use of your registered mark, and make sure it is not infringing on any existing trademarks that might conflict with yours (such as being too similar).

How Long does Trademark Registration take?

The time it takes to get a trademark depends on the type of trademark you are filing and whether you are using an attorney or doing it yourself. If you have a pending application, your new application will be given priority and may be expedited. You can also use that pending application as prior art if someone tries to steal your name after you've filed papers with the USPTO. If you don't have any other applications in process, then your new one will be put into the normal queue for processing.

The Costs to Register a Trademark

The costs to register a trademark depending on the size of your business and how you want to protect your trademark. Small businesses can expect to pay $325 per class if they use expedited service, while large businesses with multiple classes will pay $2,225 per class. In addition, you’ll have to pay an additional $100 for each international class you register the mark in.

Takeaway:

Trademarking your business is crucial to protect it from copycats, but it can be a confusing and complicated process. If you’re planning on registering a trademark for your business, make sure you consult with an attorney who specializes in intellectual property law to ensure that all of the necessary paperwork gets filed correctly.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand the basics of trademarking your company’s name. Remember that trademarks are a valuable asset, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you get all the facts before spending money on something that might not be worth it.