If you have a name, logo, or slogan that you currently use or intend to use to sell goods or services, consider trademarking. Your business sets itself apart from others in the industry through trademarking.
Contact True Lawyer for more information on “how to register my trademark in the USA.”
What Is Trademarking?
Trademark protection is your right to use a name, logo, or slogan to identify the product or services you sell. Trademarking doesn’t prevent others outside your industry from using the name, logo, or slogan in ways that do not represent your business. However, it does prevent others within your industry from using the same name, logo, or slogan to brand their products in the same way.
Why Trademark?
Trademarking uniquely identifies your specific product or service in an industry inundated with similar products and services.
You want your customers to return and recommend your products or services to others. This relationship requires trust and awareness of your services.
Your name, logo, or slogan should encapsulate what you want your customers to see and feel about your company. Customers should recognize the symbol as your business and associate it with specific traits and qualities.
Before Trademarking
There are a million trademark-worthy businesses and just as many symbols to identify them. You want your name, logo, or slogan to be unique to you, but you also don’t want to infringe on someone else’s trademark rights. Therefore, there are a few steps to follow before beginning the trademark process:
- Determine if your product or service is eligible for registration
- Determine the type of trademark you are seeking
- Cross-check for prior trademarking of the same symbol, name, logo, or slogan
- Identify the goods or services you are trademarking
- Identify your basis for filing
- Choose your application form
“How to register my trademark in the USA” begins with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO is responsible for reviewing and tracking trademark registration requests and approvals in the U.S. The USPTO also assists with processing foreign trademark applications through the International Bureau of the World Property Intellectual Organization for companies registered under the Madrid Protocol.
First, determine if your product or service is eligible for trademark registration. If qualified, decide what you want your trademark to be and cross-check to ensure it hasn’t been applied for trademark by someone else. Defining the goods or services offered as the type of trademark you seek impacts the application process, so pay close attention to details.
Registering Your Trademark
Registering a specific trademark doesn’t have to be difficult if you’ve done your part in advance concerning prior trademark ownership and identification of goods and services. Once done, you are ready to process your trademark application.
You will need:
- Owner’s name
- Owner’s mailing address
- A drawing of the symbol, logo, or image
- A sample and explanation of the goods or services to be offered
- The filing fees
Filing for trademark registration is a bureaucratic process. It isn’t complicated, but it can be time-consuming. File early and make sure your registration is accurate.
If there is a dispute over ownership or imagery, hold off registration until you have resolved those issues.
True Lawyer
True Lawyer is a unique law office providing trademark information and services to clients across the country. Based in Illinois, our Chicago trademark lawyers are highly qualified to effectively manage your trademark process throughout the United States, while you focus on other aspects of building your brand.
Your business, your products, and your services are distinctive. Don’t let the opportunity to trademark your product or services slip through your hands. Let True Lawyer’s experienced and professional team put you on the path to national recognition today.
Contact True Lawyer today at (708) 270-0620 for more information on “how to register my trademark in the USA.”
