Essentials of Trademarks
The Intellectual Property (IP Law) offers protections of trademarks. Trademarks are a way to distinguish a company or product through the use of symbols, logos, design, words, or phrases. Names are also eligible to be trademarked. Many businesses take the steps to trademark their business names. Like both patents and copyright, trademarks must be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) through the California Secretary of State.
Registering a Trademark
An individual, business owner, or their attorney are allowed to register a trademark. The registration process requires a visual representation of the trademark. The application requires you to follow the guidelines presented by USPTO. Make sure that the information is accurate or else a trademark will not be accepted by the system.
Each application for a trademark can be received online, by mail, or in person. Once submitted and filed, the trademark is valid for five years. After five years, the owner has the ability to renew for another five years.
Having an attorney on your trademark team will help you file your application and ensure that your name is unique and has not been previously registered. In order to avoid the hassle of the application process and reduce the chances of duplicating a trademark, have an attorney on hand to help consult.
