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Trademark Application Process: Complete a trademark search. Secure your rights. Submit an initial application at uspto.gov on the Trademark Electronic Application System or TEAS. Fill out the TEAS form for an initial application. Be sure to upload the file of your logo. Submit an “intent-to-use” form. Pay the fees.
How much does it cost to trademark a logo?
The cost to trademark a logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is $275–$660 as of June 2020, plus legal fees. You can register a trademark with your state for $50-$150, but federal registration offers a great deal more legal protection.
Do I need to copyright or trademark my logo?
The simple answer: Logos are not copyrighted, they are actually trademarked. Whether or not legal action is taken for replicating a trademarked logo is fully up to the company or entity that owns the trademark. A company still has legal rights to their logo even if it’s not trademarked.
Can I trademark my logo myself?
Trademark your logo to protect it from being stolen. No matter the size or the industry your company operates in, you should file for logo trademark yourself or hire a trademark attorney to do it for you.
How can I trademark my logo for free?
You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a “common law trademark” for free, simply by opening for business. The benefit of relying on common law trademark rights is that it’s free, and you don’t need to do any specific work filling out forms, etc.
How do I copyright my logo?
Filing a Copyright Registration Application Go to the U.S. Copyright Office website. Select “Electronic Copyright Registration” to fill in the Form VA online for registration of a work of Visual Arts. Name the creator of the logo and include contact information for the owner. Many logos are works for hire.
Can I put TM on my logo without registering?
The (TM) symbol actually has no legal meaning. You can use the symbol on any mark that your company uses without registering it. The most common use of the TM symbol is on a new phrase, logo, word, or design that a company plans to register through the USPTO.
Can someone steal my logo?
Logo theft is a violation that occurs when one party steals or uses another party’s trademarked logo without their permission. This is a more specific term for trademark infringement, and can take many forms. It typically involves the theft of a trademark or a service mark.
Can you trademark a name without a business?
There’s no legal requirement for you to register a trademark. Using a business name can give you ‘common law’ rights, even without formally registering it. However, as expected, trademark law is quite complex.
What is the cheapest way to trademark?
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.
How do you protect a brand name?
What’s one thing you’ve done to protect your brand legally that you think all founders should do? Protect Your Web Content. Set up Google Alerts. Use IP Protection. Create a Distinctive Mark. Register Your Trademark. Get a Patent. Create an Employee Handbook. Trademark Your Brand.
How long does a trademark last?
In the United States, a federal trademark can potentially last forever, but it has to be renewed every ten years. If the mark is still being used between the 5th and the 6th year after it was registered, then the registration can be renewed.
When should you trademark a logo?
Since trademarks are used to identify a company or brand, it makes the most sense to file for trademark protection on the brand name, logo or image. By doing this, you can keep other people from using your logo, or one that is confusingly similar, to sell the same or similar things that you are selling.
Is my logo automatically copyrighted?
Yes. A logo that includes artistic or design elements, (i.e. not just the name on its own), is legally regarded as being a work of artistic creation and therefore will be protected under copyright law. Copyright protects the logo as an artistic work.
How much is it to copyright a 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.
Do I need to register my logo?
In the U.S., you don’t need to register a trademark or copyright your company’s logo. Once you put down the original work on paper or digital media and use it to market your business, you automatically own the rights. However, registering a trademark affords you an extra layer of protection.
What is difference between copyright and trademark?
Copyright protects original work, whereas a trademark protects items that distinguish or identify a particular business from another. Copyright is generated automatically upon the creation of original work, whereas a trademark is established through common use of a mark in the course of business.
Where do I get my logo trademarked?
Registering a trademark for a company name is pretty straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, www.uspto.gov.
How do I know if my logo is taken?
The Four Steps To Peace: Finding Out If My Logo Is Already Taken Step #1: Search Your Industry For Similar Logos. Step #2: Do a Reverse Image Search of Your New Logo on Google. Step #3: Search The US Patent Office For Similar Logos. Step #4: Consult an Attorney To See If Your Logo Is Already Taken.
