Trademarks are used by thousands of organizations to make their names, logos and slogans safer from exploitation, as well as to help shore up their brand recognition and overall reputation.
If you are a business owner and you are thinking about registering a trademark, but this is a process you have never gone through before, here are a few things you need to consider before taking the plunge.
Searching existing trademarks is sensible
The best way to work out whether you can even register your trademark in the first place is to carry out a search and see if any other firm has got there before you.
This is not only a good way of determining whether your ideas are original, but also a sensible solution for avoiding future ramifications from failing to take heed of existing trademarks of which you were unaware.
Consulting an attorney is convenient
Although registering a trademark is something you can do without any outside assistance if you wish, it is generally better to get a specialist involved so that you do not stumble into common conundrums along the way.
Working with trademark attorneys like those at Nominus will provide you with the support you need to successfully register your trademarks every time, and will give you peace of mind that your applications are in good hands while alleviating the stress and time-consuming nature of handling this solo.
Knowing what to trademark is crucial
Being aware of what you can trademark and what is not eligible will further streamline proceedings, and thankfully this is a fairly simple topic to grasp.
The most commonly trademarked elements of a business are the name, logo and associated slogans that you use to market your brand, products, and services.
Automatic protection is available in a limited capacity
You do not technically need to register for a trademark, because the law provides this protection automatically, albeit within the geographic regions where your business has its base of operations.
The reason that registering makes sense is because this delivers nationwide protection for your brand, and gives you the means to fight back if you find that it has been infringed upon by someone else.
Trademarks only apply to your industry niche
You might assume that if you trademark your business name, it will be entirely impossible for any other organization to use it. This is only true within the industry you occupy because the main thing that matters is that your trademark makes your goods and services identifiable from those of your immediate competitors.
Conversely, if a company in a completely different arena has a desire to use a name or a logo that is similar to yours, then it is entitled to do so. It is all about ensuring that customers are not bamboozled by underhanded tactics from immediate rivals.
Uniqueness is a major asset
An overly descriptive or generic trademark is not a hugely helpful one, because it is trickier to prove that it is directly associable only with your organization and the things it has to offer to customers.
It is far better to come up with something truly unique and original, not only in terms of ensuring that it can be properly protected when registered as a trademark but also in terms of its broader impact in a branding context.
Hopefully, you will now see how trademarks are a great tool for businesses to use as they establish themselves, but that they also need to be implemented alongside other aspects of brand-building to reach their full potential.
Interesting Related Article: “Why A Trademark Is Crucial For The Survival Of Your Brand“