What
Is A TradeMark And Why Should I Have One?
By Abbie Frank
The
short answer to this question is that a trademark can become a brand.
Even if you're business is local, a brand name is important not only
from a marketing but also a customer perception basis.
When
many people think government business registration documents, they
naturally think patents. General copyrights which establish ownership
of certain types of property like writings, music etc.
Trademark
registration however is used to establish ownership rights to a specific
design, character, lettering style or combinations and of all these
into 1 single general identifying mark.
Good
examples of Trademarked products would be the NIKE swoosh or McDonalds
Golden Arches. These trademarked designs are readily identifiable
with the company using them. Trademarks, Servicemarks and other official
registrations are good because they establish ownership. That is,
you simply could not open up a fast food restaurant and use the McDonalds
If you're considering a trademark, the first thing to do is a quick
check to make certain what you want to register is even available.
There
are many trademarks of obscure companies that may be similar enough
to your idea to create confusion and a potential problem. This research
can be done by several methods including the use of a patent and trademark
attorney. A better approach, especially if you're a small company
or one starting out, is to simply contact the federal government and
request information on the process steps. The first stop on your journey
should be http://www.uspto.gov
to get the latest information and process to follow.
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Be advised
that the federal government is pushing for paperless transactions
whenever possible. Their current fees to process a trademark application
is 325 dollars if filed electronically. If you prefer to file the
application with physical paper In addition to the application and
fee, a drawing must be presented showing your design and proposed
trademark.
You should
also be prepared to have examples of how you're using the proposed
trademark - Servicemarks currently in your business. If approved,
you will then have the exclusive ownership of that particular design.
The
benefits of having an easily recognizable Servicemarks cannot be denied.
Go anywhere around the world and even if you cannot read the language,
a familiar red can with silver ribbons will announce and identify
the drink in the container as Coke, the real thing! How much more
valuable would your business be if you had a service mark as distinctive
and as easily recognizable as a can of Coca-Cola?
Abigail
Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, travel,
health, and business. For More information on Trademarks visit the
site at http://www.trademarks.openbriefcase.com
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