Whether you are the owner of a start-up business or one that has been operating for a while, it is important to ensure that your company’s intellectual property is protected. Intellectual property can include items such as your business name, inventions, logo or trade secret. Ideally, you should register your business’s trademarks as soon as possible
Many business owners overlook the importance of registering their entity’s trademarks. However, there are numerous advantages gained by registering with the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
- Your business will save time and money by researching the trademark earlier in the process before investing heavily in it
- The quicker your register the less likely you are to violate an existing trademark
- Registration provides notification to the public that you claim ownership of the mark
- Your entity will have the ability to use the federal registration symbol (®) which creates a legal presumption of your entity’s exclusive right to use the mark
- Once you have registered your trademark, you have the right to bring a lawsuit in federal court in matters related to the mark
- Having your mark registered in the United States can make it easier to obtain registration in foreign countries
- Your trademark can be filed with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service to prevent foreign goods that infringe on your mark from being imported
- Once your mark has been registered, infringers cannot claim ignorance of the protected mark
If you are starting a new business, we can assist you with filing an “intent to use” trademark application for your entity name and/or logo. This will protect your marks while you are working to start business operations.
If you have questions regarding starting a new business or registering your entity’s trademarks, contact Leslie S. Marell for help. We serve as general counsel to clients who do not require, or choose not to employ, a full-time lawyer in-house. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.