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.

Should I copyright or trademark my business name?

A trademark can protect your name and logo in case someone else wants to use them for their own purposes. Also, you cannot really copyright a name, since copyright protects artistic works. This is exactly why you need to have a trademark that protects your company’s intellectual property, such as your logo.

What happens when you trademark your business name?

The answer is that a registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your business name nationwide in connection with the goods and services you’ve identified in your registration, and allows you to enforce your trademark by filing a lawsuit in federal court.

Can an LLC own a trademark?

There are many different types of legal entities that can own a trademark. The most common that we see, and also the simplest, are LLCs and corporations. Usually, a LLC or corporation develops a mark to identify itself as a source of goods or services.

How long does a trademark last?

How long does a trademark last in the US? 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.

Should I get a trademark or LLC first?

In many cases, a business will want to start the trademark application as soon as their LLC or corporation paperwork is filed. By filing for a trademark prior to launch, you can be sure that your name is protected once you begin commercial sales. However, there may be an even stronger reason to apply early.

What are the steps to trademark a business name?

The USPTO outlines six steps in the process of registering a trademark: 1. Determine whether a trademark application is right for you. A trademark is different from patents, copyrights, domain names and business name registrations.

Can a brand name be registered as a trademark?

You can only trademark a brand name that you’re using in business or that you intend to use in business in the near future. You can’t register a generic or descriptive name. Your trademark name has to be distinctive or unique in some way to be approved. The name can’t create a likelihood of confusion among consumers.

What are the benefits of trademarking a business name?

Registration of a trademark provides your business with several key benefits: Your trademark gets protection across the nation, and even overseas if you apply for international trademarks. It becomes part of the official record.

What happens if you don’t trademark Your Name?

Without a trademark, someone else could register your name or logo as their own, which could force you to rebrand your company. Trademarking your brand prevents this type of scenario by protecting your business name and identity at a national level.