Your company name can be essential to the success of your business.  Similarly, a unique logo or clever slogan can set you apart from your competition. Consider taking these steps to protect your brand:

1. Brainstorm ideas for a unique company name, logo and/or slogan (collectively herein “mark”) to use in connection with the goods and services. Avoid names that are merely descriptive of the goods and services offered. 

2. Determine whether the mark is available to use in connection with your goods and services. This step is important because if you start using a mark that is already registered by another party, they could demand that you stop using it and sue you for damages.   

3. If the mark appears to be available, file an application for registration with the USPTO or appropriate state. The USPTO provides an option to file a registration application for marks already in use as well as marks you intend to use (proof of use will need to be timely filed).

4. If your mark is successfully registered, calendar all of the maintenance dates and make it a priority to meet the deadlines. Additionally, police the use of your mark to watch for and address potential infringement by other parties.    

If you need help with any of these steps or want to learn more about protecting your mark, please call to schedule an appointment with one of the attorneys at Waldron & Schneider.        

The legal information in this blog entry is not intended to be a substitute for seeking personalized legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.  Further, nothing contained in this article is intended to create an attorney-client relationship with any reader.  This article and website are made available by Waldron & Schneider for educational purposes only and to give basic information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Waldron & Schneider. The article and website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. For more information or questions you can contact us and one of our attorneys will be in touch soon.