![]() ![]() This is another reason why we recommend LegalZoom for trademarking a business name. Since it can take up to a year or longer to actually get the name trademarked by the USPTO, it’s definitely in your best interest to get an early start. By doing this before your business officially launches, it protects the name for commercial use once you’re up and running. In most cases, the best time to file a trademark application for your business name is right after you’ve filed paperwork to form your LLC or corporation. When is the right time to file a trademark application? Assuming a trademark is actually right for your business, then the answer is immediately. #1 – Determine the Best Time to Trademark Your Business Name While it may seem a bit overwhelming, you can trademark a business name and in just five simple steps. Now that you understand the basics of trademarking a business name, it’s time to get one for yourself. They also offer attorney-assisted trademark services to help increase your success rate of securing a trademark for your business name. LegalZoom will walk you through the application process, proofread the application, and file everything on your behalf. To simplify the trademark process, you can use an online trademark service like LegalZoom. So it’s really important to get this right the first time, ensuring that you register your trademark as soon as possible. It does take a while for the USPTO to review your trademark application, and they may ultimately request additional information or deny your application if there’s an error on your forms. Expect to pay around $750 or so during the initial process, and it should take about 6-12 months to obtain the trademark after you’ve filed. These range from $100 to $525 and cover things like showing the use of the trademark, requesting an extension of use, filing declarations, and renewals. There are additional fees after you’ve submitted the application as well. So if you’re registering multiple trademarks, then you’ll need to fill out separate applications and pay separate filing fees for each. Only one mark can be filed on an application. The initial application with the USPTO starts at $250 or $350 per class of goods or services that you’re filing for. Registering a trademark for your business name isn’t an overnight process. The Investment Needed to Trademark a Business Name But if you want to grow and build a brand outside of a single community, then you should definitely consider getting a trademark for your business name. If you’re running a small, local operation with no plans to scale, then it’s probably not worth it for you. It’s also worth noting that trademarking a business name isn’t for everyone. So if you want to secure funding and raise capital over time, many investors will require you to obtain a trademark before they invest money into your company. Trademarked names are appealing to investors as well. ![]() It can help you create a nationally or internationally recognized name, like Nike, McDonald’s, and Apple. Registering a trademark for your business name is a crucial step in the big-picture branding process. For example, if a consumer buys something from another business using the same name as yours, that customer might actually think they’re buying from you. It also prevents another business from selling similar products or services using the same name, which could potentially harm your brand’s reputation. ![]() Trademarking your business name prevents confusion for consumers. An official trademark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has strong protections in federal court. By trademarking your name, you’ll have the exclusive rights to use that name nationwide with goods or services associated with your business. ![]() There are lots of key benefits and advantages of trademarking a business name. Why Trademarking a Business Name is Worth It This guide will explain everything you need to know about how to trademark a business name and the best time to do it. To legally protect that name, you should consider filing a trademark application. Disclosure: This content is reader-supported, which means if you click on some of our links that we may earn a commission.Ĭoming up with a great business name is a challenge in itself. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |