Why Trademark a Logo?
Registering your mark gives you legal protection and lets the public know you own the mark. In fact, the mark can only be used after the logo is actually registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). There are two types of marks you can register with the USPTO (1.) trademarks, which identify goods or products and (2.) service marks, which are used exclusively to identify services. If you do not officially register your logo with the USTPO, you can still use it. That’s because using a logo creates a “common law” trademark. Common law trademarks use either the “TM” (trademark) or “SM” (service mark) symbol to inform businesses that you own your logo. However, common law trademarks offer limited protection. To protect yourself nationally, it is best to register for a federal trademark. And in case of a lawsuit, your trademark registration provides a documented start date for your use of the mark. A Trademark Search for Your Logo Before registering a trademark for your logo
