What words can you not trademark?
Words that don’t serve to identify the source of a product can’t be trademarked. Generic words, offensive words, and certain proper names can’t be trademarked. Words that are already trademarked for goods within the same industry can’t be trademarked.
Can you trademark a catchphrase?
The answer is yes – a catchphrase can be trademarked, but only for the protection of its use in connection with a particular product or services. … The mere act of speaking a catchphrase isn’t, on its own, an act of commerce, so a trademark wouldn’t cover or protect you from someone else just saying your phrase.
How much does it cost to trademark a word or phrase?
If you have ever asked yourself how much does it cost to trademark a phrase, according to the current fee schedule on the USPTO, trademark registration fees cost $275 per mark per class. If you need an attorney’s assistance, the cost averages around $1,000 to $2,000.
How do you know if a phrase is trademarked?
You can search all applied-for and registered trademarks free of charge by using the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)‘s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). If your mark includes a design element, you will have to search it by using a design code.
What are the 3 types of trademarks?
There are four categories of trademarks: (1) fanciful or arbitrary, (2) suggestive, (3) descriptive, and (4) generic.
Can you trademark a phrase on a T-shirt?
If your T-shirt design has symbols, words, or other marks that uniquely distinguish it from other T-shirts on the market you can obtain a trademark to protect your design from others who might wish to capitalize on your intellectual property.
When should you trademark a phrase?
In the digital age, phrases can spread and catch on quickly that you might see your phrase on a t-shirt in ASOS or on a popular website. For that reason, if you do have an exceptional phrase, you should consider trademark registration.
Can you trademark a slogan for a shirt?
Because a slogan or design silk-screened onto a T-shirt is not a trademark. … A trademark is any word, phrase, design or device that identifies the source of the goods identified by the mark. Don’t even attempt to register the trademark for a slogan or design that simply appears across the chest or back of tee-shirt.
How do I get a free trademark?
You can not register a trademark for free. However, you can establish something known as a “common law trademark” for free, simply by opening for business. The benefit of relying on common law trademark rights is that it’s free, and you don’t need to do any specific work filling out forms, etc.
How long does trademark last?
How long does a trademark last in the US? In the United States, a federal trademark can potentially last forever, but it has to be renewed every ten years. If the mark is still being used between the 5th and the 6th year after it was registered, then the registration can be renewed.
What is the cheapest way to trademark?
The cheapest way to trademark a name is by filing with your state. The cost varies depending on where you live and what type of business you own. If you are a corporation or LLC, you can expect to pay less than $150 in most cases, while sole proprietors and contractors can pay anywhere between $50 to $150.