Before you try to trademark your logo, make sure you have a strong logo design. It can include your company name, company logo, or both, but it should be distinctive and indicative of your brand identity. If your name and logo look like a similar trademark that’s already registered, your version is less likely to be approved.
You can also register a trademark for your logo with the Secretary of State in the state where you will be using the logo. Doing so protects your rights only within that state, so the logo can be used by others in other states. Register a federal trademark. The third and most involved option is to file a trademark application with the USPTO.
In this article, we will explore why it’s essential to trademark your logo, the steps involved, and the role a trademark attorney can play in this process. The Steps to Protecting Your Logo 1. Decide on Your Logo Concept. The first step to getting a logo trademark is-as you might expect-to create your logo.
Alright, so let’s get down to it. A logo trademark is like your brand’s signature. It’s that unique symbol or design that makes your business stand out from the crowd. Think of it like your brand’s face. Having a trademarked logo means you’re putting a stamp on your brand’s identity. It’s basically saying, "Hey, this is ours ...
To file a successful trade mark application, avoid common mistakes such as choosing a non-distinctive trademark, misclassifying goods/services, and failing to conduct a comprehensive trademark search. ... If you have created a mark or logo for your business, registering your trademark or logo is important to the success of your organization. A ...
Your logo is part of your brand to identify your business as the source of your goods and services. It's important to protect that brand, and by extension, the logo that represents it. One way to do this is to register your logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as a trademark, although US registration is completely ...
The ideation stage that comes before protecting a logo is an animal in itself, but in general, you want to keep the following things in mind: Keep your logo design simple, clean, and straightforward. Create a logo that includes structure and balance to create positive connotations between your brand and the concept of strength.
Being generic with your logo and the brand name makes it hard for clients to distinguish it, so it won’t be accepted as a trademark. Confusing. Your logo resembles another brand and causes confusion to customers. Just Pretty. Having a logo that’s simply intricate and ornamental rather than one that represents your brand values. Offensive.
How to trademark a logo. A unique logo can be trademarked by registering it with the USPTO. Anyone can apply online if their business is based in the U.S. Businesses outside the U.S. will need to hire a USA-based attorney to file. Here are the common steps involved in trademarking a logo: Step 1: Determine if you need a trademark registration ...
This existing trademarked logo, codified through a federal trademark registration, will have an easier path to international registration. Additionally, a foreign registration will have an easier time acquiring a trademark with the USPTO. Filing a logo with the USPTO that is already registered internationally will be easier.
Trademarking a logo is vital for businesses of all sizes to secure legal protection and establish a strong brand identity. A trademarked logo grants the trademark owner exclusive rights to use the logo, preventing others from using a similar design. This protection extends to both registered and unregistered trademarks.
A highly distinctive logo might consist of original artwork created specifically for your business. A generic logo could be something like a letter of the alphabet or a set of initials. Likelihood of confusion. A trademark cannot create a “likelihood of confusion” with another registered trademark. A logo has a likelihood of confusion if:
These are text-only logos that consist of the company or brand name. The Coca-Cola logo and the Google logo are both examples of wordmarks. Pictorial Marks These are image-based logos that use a specific graphic or symbol to represent the brand. Examples of pictorial marks include the Apple logo and the Nike swoosh. Abstract Logo Marks
What is a trademarked logo? The USPTO can register two basic different styles of displayable trademarks:. standard-character trademarks; special-form trademarks; A standard-character trademark consists of words, numbers, letters or a combination of those without any specific font, color, or design.
If they decide to sue you for this, you can lose rights to your logo and business name, causing you to lose customers. Protect your own trademark. Similarly, once you trademark your logo, you have legal ownership of it. If you find that another business uses your trademarked logo or something very similar, you can sue them.
