Should i trademark my business name us registration#

Brand names are protected by trademark law. Brand names are usually created by the companies that produce the products or services, but they can also be acquired through purchase or licensing.

A company can have multiple trade names, but only one business name.Ī brand name is a type of trade name that is used to identify a product or service. A trade name can be a brand name, but not all brand names are trade names. A company can have multiple trade names, but only one business name.Ī trade name is any name used by a company to identify its businesses or products. A business name is usually the same as the company's trade name, but not always. It is the name under which the company is registered with the government and conducts all of its business. Trademarks are used to protect a company's investment in its brand and to prevent others from unfairly profiting from that investment.Ī business name is the legal name of a company. A trademark can be a word, phrase, logo, design, or even a sound. A business name can be a trademark, but not all business names are trademarks.Ī trademark is any sign or symbol that can distinguish the goods or services of one company from those of another. A company can have multiple trademarks, but only one business name. A business name is the official name of a company while a trademark isĪ business name is the official name of a company, while a trademark is a sign or symbol that represents a brand. Sound complicated? Learn about Northwest’s Trademark Service.A Business Name vs a Trademark Do You Know the Difference 1. It can take eight months or longer to get a trademark approved at the federal level.

Should i trademark my business name us registration#

How long does it take to register a trademark?Īs is typical with the federal government, trademark registration can take a long time. And every ten years, you’ll need to file a combined Section 8 Declaration of Use and Section 9 Application of Renewal, which costs $500 total. Every five years you’ll need to file a Section 8 Declaration of Continued Use and pay a $100 fee (per class of trademark). Trademark registration is pretty pricey, ranging from $250 to $350 per class of trademark. How much does it cost to register a trademark? Before you apply, you should make sure that another business hasn’t already trademarked the name you want to use, using the USPTO Trademark Search. To federally register a trademark, you’ll need to apply with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Read up on What is a trademark? How do I trademark my LLC name?

When you trademark your LLC name at the federal level, businesses across the US will not be allowed to use your name, or a name that is too similar to yours, if they offer a similar service or product.Īdditionally, trademarking your LLC name is a way to retain your business name after dissolution, so that even if need to dissolve your business for a period of time, you can hold onto the brand you’ve built. That’s why LLC owners who are concerned with building a unique brand-especially if they want to do business in multiple states-will often register a trademark.

However, businesses in other states will still be able to use your business name, and in some states, “doing business as” names (DBAs) are not regulated, meaning a business with a DBA could use your name, even if you’ve already registered it with the state. This means that once your LLC is in business, other registered businesses in your state won’t be able to use your name or a name that’s too similar to yours. When you register as an LLC, you’re required to use a name that’s distinguishable from any other active business name in the state. Why do I need a trademark if I’ve already registered my LLC name with the state? If you have an LLC, it’s definitely possible to trademark your business name, and it’s often a great idea! While registering your business as an LLC keeps other businesses in your state from using your business name, you can more fully protect your brand from copycats by registering a trademark. Thank you to a customer for that great question! Many people who form LLCs wonder if they can or should trademark their business name, so we decided to address this issue in a blog post. Q: If my LLC is already formed, can I trademark my name? Should I Trademark my LLC Name? Posted on Admin | July 1, 2022