Do I need to trademark my company name and logo?
A small business needs to protect its intellectual property, which includes its business name and logo. … Generally speaking, you should apply for trademark registrations for your business name, logo, slogan and designs separately.
What happens if you don’t trademark a logo?
If you decide not to trademark your logo, you do acquire trademark rights simply by using it in connection with your products or services. … However, these rights are only limited to the geographic area in which the mark is used, and they do not give you the full benefits of federal registration.
How do I copyright my business name and logo?
Registering a trademark for a company name is pretty straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, www.uspto.gov.
Can you sue someone for copying your logo?
Any time your company uses a logo to identify its products or services, you establish common-law trademark rights. Common-law trademark rights may allow you to sue a competitor to prevent it from using your logo, particularly if it is in a way that attempts to portray itself as your company to consumers.
Is it illegal to copy a logo?
The simple answer: Logos are not copyrighted, they are actually trademarked. Whether or not legal action is taken for replicating a trademarked logo is fully up to the company or entity that owns the trademark. A company still has legal rights to their logo even if it’s not trademarked.
Can I get sued for a similar logo?
One of the most common forms of infringement occurs when a company attempts to use a logo that looks similar or uses similar language as another copyrighted logo. If the competing logo creates confusion, then its owner could face legal action for infringement.
How much do you have to change a logo to avoid copyright?
According to internet lore, if you change 30% of a copyrighted work, it is no longer infringement and you can use it however you want.
How much does it cost to copyright a logo and name?
The cost to trademark a name at the federal level ranges from $225 to $400 plus legal fees or $50 to $150 for a state trademark. The average cost to trademark a logo is $225 to $600 plus any legal fees.
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Trademark Cost.
| National Average Cost | $424 |
|---|---|
| Average Range | $275 to $660 |
How do I make sure nobody steals my business name?
To be sure no one improperly uses your business’s name or branding, you need to obtain a trademark. To do so, you’ll need to file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Filing an application does not automatically mean your trademark will be approved.