
Iguana Ice Cream and Iguana’s Ice Cream might be too similar, for example.

While this sounds straightforward, it can be complex.
#Copyright my logo registration
Your registration could be denied if the name is too similar to a name already registered within the same class. You should search not only for the name you want, but also for similar names. You can do this with the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System, also known as TESS. Searchįirst, you need to search the federal database to ensure the name you want to trademark isn’t already protected as a trademark. Trademarking your company’s name is not as simple as filing for an LLC and may take more time than you imagine. Doing so is known as copyright infringement. Entities other than the work’s copyright holder may not copy the work or use it for profit without the copyright holder’s permission. A trademark is also different from a copyright, which applies only to artistic works. Something patented cannot be used in another entity’s products or services without that entity’s permission. What is a trademark?Īccording to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a trademark is “a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of the others.” It’s a legal protection you can use to take legal action against an entity if they’re misrepresenting your brand or using it without your consent.Ī trademark is different from a patent, which governs technology and ideas. This guide will walk you through each step needed to register and trademark your brand name, and answer some frequently asked questions about registering your trademark. Registering a trademark is a fairly straightforward process that you can complete in just a few easy steps. Registering a trademark for your company is a big step that helps you protect your brand identity from misuse or theft. This article is for small business owners who are ready to register and trademark their brand name or wondering whether they should.It is not immediately necessary to secure a trademark, though it could benefit your brand.You can register your brand name with the USPTO to protect your intellectual property from misuse.Registering your brand name as a trademark is a simple three-step process.
