Should I trademark my startup name?

Summary. Registering your business name for a trademark isn’t required in order for you to have trademark rights. However, a registered trademark can provide greater protection for your brand while helping you build your brand and drive business growth.

How much does it cost to use a trademarked name?

What Does Trademarking a Name Cost? Filing a trademark for your business name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will cost between $225 and $600, plus legal fees. You can register with most states for $50-$150 if you don’t want protection outside your state.

What is the cheapest way to trademark a business name?

The cheapest way to trademark a name is by filing with your state. The cost varies depending on where you live and what type of business you own. If you are a corporation or LLC, you can expect to pay less than $150 in most cases, while sole proprietors and contractors can pay anywhere between $50 to $150.

Should I own my trademark or should my company?

The party who controls the nature and quality of the goods and services used in connection with the brand should be the trademark owner. This is an important decision and naming the proper owner for purposes of registration is critical to maintaining a valid trademark.

Should you trademark your business name and logo?

A small business needs to protect its intellectual property, which includes its business name and logo. Generally speaking, you should apply for trademark registrations for your business name, logo, slogan and designs separately.

What is the process of getting a trademark?

To federally register a trademark, you must submit a trademark registration to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. There, your application will be reviewed by an examining attorney. If no oppositions are received then your trademark application will be cleared for final registration.

Is it worth it to trademark a logo?

Trademarks protect words, names, symbols, sounds and colors and distinguish one company’s goods and products from another. Trademarking a logo not only protects it from being used by other similar companies, it also protects a company from unknowingly infringing upon an existing logo.

When should a company file a trademark application?

As with most issues, this depends on the company’s current situation. But it is generally advisable to file a trademark application as soon as possible. Failing to file a trademark application leaves a company exposed. A competitor can get wind and file for that mark, leaving the company with few options.

Can a company name be used as a trademark?

A trademark is sometimes referred to as a designation of origin. This means that it points to the source of a particular service or product. If you want your company name to be your trademark, and many companies do, you still need to file an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Is there a shortcut to trademarking a product?

There are no real shortcuts in the trademark process. For every one you try to take, you lose rights you are otherwise afforded under the law. It is always smarter to file individual trademark applications, even if it costs you more money up front. Should I file a trademark before my product is market-ready?

How long does it take to register a trademark in USA?

As the name suggests, businesses can apply for trademark registration based on the assumption that they intend to use the mark in commerce sometime in the near future. Once the USPTO approves your application, it requires you to start using the mark in commerce within six months.