Your business name and logo are more than just branding—they’re how customers recognize and trust you. Choosing a strong trademark and protecting it early can save you headaches and money down the road. This post walks you through the basics of picking, searching, and registering your marks.
Strong trademarks:
- Fanciful or arbitrary marks are strongest.
- Suggestive marks are generally protectable.
- Descriptive or generic marks are weak.
Search before you commit:
- USPTO search: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search
Register your trademark:
- Apply online: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/apply
- Provide a specimen and pay fees.
- Expect months for review and possible office actions.
Maintain your trademark:
- Monitor for infringement.
- Renew as required.
Helpful resources:
- https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics
- https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search
- https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/apply
- https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/maintain
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