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How To Trademark A Company Name?
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The name of your business is more than a label; it is a foundation of your brand’s identity. Keeping one’s identity unique & protected is essential in the modern business world. Protecting your company’s name with a trademark helps ensure its exclusive position in the market and prevents others from using it without your permission. With helpful hints and detailed instructions, this blog will walk you through the steps of registering a trademark for a business name. Knowing the ins and outs of trademarking your company name is crucial whether you’re a startup trying to build your brand or an established company trying to strengthen your identity.
Here is to learning why and how to trademark a company name.
Why To Trademark A Company Name?
To prevent others from infringing on your work or using your company name without your permission, trademarking is a good idea. Getting a trademark is a great way to protect your brand because it gives you the exclusive right to use the name in relation to your goods and services. To illustrate, let’s pretend that “TechSavvy Solutions” is a trademarked name for a software company. This legal safeguard stops rivals from confusing consumers and watering down the brand’s reputation by using a confusingly similar name.
If you want more people to recognize your brand and do business with you, trademarking your name is a great first step. Having a unique and protected business name helps you stand out from the competition and leaves a lasting impression on customers. Think about a “Chic Couture Creations” fashion boutique that has trademarked its name. By maintaining a consistent brand identity and providing high-quality products, “Chic Couture Creations” gains a reputation for sophistication, which in turn increases consumer loyalty and awareness of the brand.
Customers have more faith in a company with a trademarked name. Clients will associate your business with quality and trustworthiness if they see the registered trademark symbol (®) alongside your name. Customers are more likely to be loyal and come back as a result of this trust. As an example, a local artisanal bakery called “Sweet Treats Bakery” has a trademark for its name. This helps customers trust that the bakery will consistently provide high-quality goods, which in turn helps build a loyal customer base and good word of mouth.
When you trademark your business name, you open the door to new opportunities in other industries and markets. Once a trademark is registered, it becomes much easier to introduce new products or services that fall under the same brand name without worrying about people confusing or infringing on the brand. Obtaining a trademark allows a tech startup like “Innovative Solutions” to confidently branch out into related industries like software development, consulting, or hardware manufacturing, capitalizing on the strength of its brand name to attract new customers.
How To Trademark A Company Name?
Step 1: Determine Availability
Before applying for a trademark, it’s crucial to ensure that your desired company name is available for registration. Conduct a comprehensive search using the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to check for any existing trademarks that are similar to yours.
Let’s say you’re starting a consulting firm called “Strategic Solutions Consulting.” You perform a search on TESS and discover that there are no registered trademarks for “Strategic Solutions Consulting” in your industry.
Step 2: Understand Filing Options
The USPTO offers different filing options, each with its own requirements and fees. You can choose between TEAS Plus, TEAS Reduced Fee, or TEAS Regular based on your specific needs and preferences.
Considering the straightforward nature of your company name and to save on fees, you opt for the TEAS Plus filing option.
Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
Gather all the necessary documents and information required for your trademark application. This typically includes a specimen of how you’re using the company name in commerce, a description of the goods or services associated with the name, and a drawing of the trademark if it includes any stylized elements.
You compile evidence such as business cards, letterheads, and marketing materials that display your company name “Strategic Solutions Consulting” in use. You also provide a detailed description of the consulting services your firm offers.
Step 4: File the Application
Submit your trademark application through the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). Ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid delays or rejection.
You fill out the TEAS Plus application form online, providing all required information and uploading your supporting documents. You pay the applicable filing fee, which is $225 per class of goods or services for TEAS Plus.
Step 5: Monitor Application Status
After submitting your application, monitor its status through the USPTO’s online portal. Be prepared to respond to any office actions or inquiries from the USPTO examining attorney promptly.
You regularly check the status of your trademark application using the USPTO’s online tracking tool. After a few months, you receive notice that your application has been approved for publication.
Step 6: Maintain Your Trademark
Once your trademark is registered, it’s essential to maintain it by filing periodic maintenance documents and renewing it as required by law.
After your trademark for “Strategic Solutions Consulting” is registered, you diligently keep track of renewal deadlines and submit the necessary maintenance documents to ensure ongoing protection of your company name.
How Much Does It Cost To Trademark A Company Name?
The cost of trademarking a company name varies depending on the filing option you choose through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). Here’s a breakdown of the direct filing fees:
- TEAS Plus: The basic filing fee for TEAS Plus is $225 per class of goods or services. If you need to register your trademark for additional classes, an upfront fee of $125 per class applies. This option allows you to receive further communications via email.
- TEAS Reduced Fee: For TEAS Reduced Fee, the basic filing fee is $275 per class of goods or services. If you decide to add additional classes later, you have the option to pay a fee of $125 per class. Similar to TEAS Plus, this option also enables you to receive further communications via email.
- TEAS Regular: The basic filing fee for TEAS Regular is $400 per class of goods or services. Additionally, there may be fees for adding classes of goods and services. Unlike TEAS Plus and TEAS Reduced Fee, TEAS Regular provides the option to submit further application materials outside of the TEAS system.
What Is The Difference Between A Service Mark And Trademark?
The goods and services they represent are the key distinction between trademarks and service marks. Symbols, logos, names, or designs that differentiate goods (products) in the marketplace can be protected through a trademark. This rule is applicable to real things that people buy and put to use. Brand names, logos, and symbols connected with goods like apparel, electronics, food, etc., can be protected through trademarks. For example, trademark that helps to differentiate Nike’s athletic footwear and apparel from competing brands is the swoosh logo.
To differentiate the services offered by a company, symbol, logo, name, or design can be registered as a service mark. It is relevant to consumer-provided intangible services. Brand names, logos, and symbols connected with services like banking, consulting, legal, hospitality, etc., are protected by service marks. For examples, a single mark that differentiates Hilton’s hospitality and hotel services from competitors is the “H” logo.
While both trademarks and service marks serve to protect intellectual property, trademarks are associated with goods or products, while service marks are associated with services provided by a business. However, in practice, the term “trademark” is often used generically to refer to both trademarks and service marks.
Reach Out To Us!
You can use Trademark Registration Agency marketplace to post your trademark registration questions and concerns. Among all the attorneys applying to Trademark Registration Agency, only the top 5% are accepted. Law schools like Yale Law and Harvard Law School produce the Trademark Registration Agency attorneys you see on the site. With a combined fourteen years of practice, they have represented or worked with tech giants like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb. Throughout the trademark registration process, our committed team is available to offer you expert guidance and support. Helping you securely handle the complexities of trademark law is our commitment. Whether you have questions regarding the application process, need clarification on specific requirements, or seek personalized advice, we’re here to help. Reach out to us now, and we will be pleased to help you safeguard and boost your brand’s reputation.
