What is a Trademark?

What is a Trademark? What do I need to know?

I get this question a lot.  And it is quite understandable. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know. 

According to Webster, a Trademark is a marketing device that visually sets a company or product apart from similar items trying to gain market share.  Put simply, a Trademark is a word, logo or slogan that you created that is unique to your business, that you want to protect and make sure no one can steal!

Trademarks serve two purposes: they ensure you are not infringing on anyone else and that no one else can infringe on you.

Why does this matter for your business?

Because you work hard to get your name out, to build your business, and your email list. Maybe you are spending a great deal of time on social media, blogging, creating a podcast, or creating content. You need to protect that work!

Think of it this way, you spend a great deal of time, energy and money marketing your business.  Maybe you even splurge for paid advertising in your local paper, Facebook ads, or create a bunch of marketing materials like business cards, stationary, website design, or logos.  Now, you are out there. You are building a name and you have brand recognition.  You feel like you just made it! Then, someone comes along and says, “STOP! I own that name in a faraway state and it is registered with the USPTO. You are infringing! You now owe us money for using our name!”  Yes, this happens all the time. Even if your business is just the local barber!

Not only are you protecting your work, you are also showing the value in your business. You now have ownership over intellectual property in your business, which adds to your asset list! That’s right, you now have something that increases the monetary value of your business!

More questions? Sign up for our email list to review the Trademark Checklist! Ready to schedule a consultation? We’d love to talk with you!