If you write a book, you own the copyright to the book and this protects you from the theft of your intellectual property. If you invent something, you get a patent and this serves as protection in case somebody wants to steal your invention. The same thing applies to the trademark to some extent. In simple terms, a trademark can be described as a unique distinguishing feature of a company or a business. The trademark protects the business owner the same way the copyright protects the writer. This means that if you file trademark papers you will be protecting your business logo and your brand from creative theft.
In some ways, your trademark is your corporate identity so it has to be unique. Some examples of very popular trademarks include those of Coca-Cola, Rolls-Royce and the Apple logo. The yahoo logo, Google logo and the Nike “swoosh” have also become very popular trademarks.
The first step is to carry out a search. This is vital because you trademark needs to be unique. It has to identify your company, your product, or the service you offer. If the mark you want to register is deemed too similar to other already approved marks, it will not be registered. This is because other companies will describe your mark as being “confusingly similar” to theirs.
In the event that your logo does not pass the test, you should not give up. All you have to do is dig in. Put on your creative hat and come up with a truly unique design. If this is approved, you are on your way to having your trademark. To improve your chances of registration, your trademark needs to have the following qualities. It should be distinctive and it should not be identical or similar to those of other companies in the same industry. Again, your trademark should not be deceptive nor should it be contrary to morality or established laws.
The actual process of filing your trademark is relatively simple. All you have to do is log on to the website of The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This site contains a lot of information on filling fees, renewal fees and other vital trademark information. The great thing about getting your trademark registered is that it protects your business and gives you a unique identity.
Depending on the size of your business, you can file trademark applications in your state or you can go for a national trademark. You can also file an international trademark and this will give you global recognition. All told, a trademark is a great idea because it gives your firm an identity and protects your company from creative theft. Now, if you want to file trademark application paperwork, you need to know how the system works. This is important because if the process is not done the right way, you may just waste money on filing fees without getting approval for your trademark. This why most turn to specialized professional legal help from trademark law firms like Trademark Access. They are adept at helping you avoid commonly made mistakes when people try to file trademark applications w/out any prior experience and can help you do the same for surprisingly less than you might imagine.