Your brand is the part of your business that helps you connect and communicate to the outside world who you are, what you represent, the quality of your services, and the image you want to display. One of the best ways to protect your brand is by registering it as a trademark.
There has been an increase in the rise of brands across a wide range of industries. Many business owners and entrepreneurs wonder whether they should trademark their company name. After you research the pros and cons, the answer will become crystal clear. It should not be a question to anyone who wants to protect their company.
Despite the hassle of dealing with government agencies and seeking advice from attorneys to ensure you have the right details, there are many reasons why trademarking your name is important.
Registering a Trademark
Registering a trademark for a company name is very straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 2 hours. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website. Before beginning the application, it is important to make sure that no one else has already registered the mark or anything identical for the same category of services and goods you offer to your target audience.
Online trademark registration will require information about the categories of services and goods that will be marked, the date of the mark’s first use, and whether you are seeking a design component. If you are operating an internet business, you may want to refrain from registering a web extension unless you are going to register the mark with a web extension and without a web extension.
If you obtain a trademark without the domain extension, you can prevent someone else from using your domain name with a different extension. After you have filed for the trademark, you should receive a response within a six-month time frame.
Trademark Protection
U.S. trademark protection will be granted to the first entity to use that mark in the location where it will operate. What if your selected trademark has already been registered even if you were the first one to use it? You will likely need the assistance of a skilled lawyer to help you determine the next steps.
Why Should You Register?
Trademarks have proven to be a valuable asset for a company. Registered trademark protection will give the registered owner the exclusive right to use the brand and is the owner of the brand. Trademark registration may remain in force for potentially unlimited consecutive ten-year periods.
Unlike patents and copyrights, a trademark will not expire after a set period of time. The trademark will persist so long as the proprietor continues to use the trademark. Depending on the type of trademark you are seeking, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can charge as low s $225 per trademark.
A Trademark Will Protect You
With a trademark, your name will be legally protected so no one else attempts to copy it. A trademark will protect ownership rights over whatever you have trademarked, including the logo and your tagline. Once you have your trademark, no one will be able to use your name. If someone does attempt to use your name, you can take prompt, legal action.
Your Brand Will Be Secured Online
Consumers search for brand names on their favorite search engines and social media networks. Social media networks have several policies in place that can protect you against someone attempting to misrepresent your brand. If anyone tries to use your brand on social media, that person’s account can be suspended.
Once you have a trademark strategy and portfolio in place, you will be able to use every asset to work in your favor. You will be able to license your mark and enter into deals with third parties in exchange for royalties and/or shares. In some areas, trademarks are necessary before you can license or import goods into your targeted market and audience.
Registering a trademark will reassure your customers and potential customers that you are committed to the business you are promoting. Registering a trademark will indicate to your target audience that you plan to be around for a significant period of time.
We understand that trademarking is not going to be for everyone, but if you do make the decision to trademark, you will not regret going through the obstacles that it took you to accomplish it. Are you ready to identify a strategy that will preserve the value of your brand, including registering a trademark?
