Wondering if a trademark is important to you as a business owner? Let's start with the basics. A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or logo that distinguishes and identifies the source of goods of one company or person from another. For example, the name Kraft is trademarked, as is Nike's "swoosh" logo.
The list of what constitutes a trademark is long. A trademark can also be granted to unique packaging such as the shape of Coca-cola's bottle, building designs, color, sound, and even fragrance. Service marks receive the same legal protection, but are used to distinguish services instead of products.
Your business can acquire trade or service marks through the consistent use of a mark. The symbols TM and SM demonstrate the owner treats the mark as a trademark or service mark. There is no requirement to federally register at the trademark office. You are still protected under intellectual property laws. However, if another party uses your mark it can be more difficult to prove your ownership.
To register online with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), go to www.uspto.gov. There is a registration fee for each name, logo, and slogan. Federal registration ensures another party is not already using your mark. A registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to use a mark with your particular goods or services. The USPTO can only register trademarks for marks that are used across state lines. A website customers can access in other areas can satisfy this requirement. Otherwise, you will only be able to apply for a state trademark.
Only a mark registered and approved by the USPTO can use the ® symbol. Since the application process can take many months to complete, use the TM or SM symbol in the meantime to establish your intention to use the mark as a trademark. Make sure you keep records as to when your mark was first used in commerce and regulate the use of your mark in the marketplace.
Wendy Maynard, your friendly marketing maven, is the owner of Kinesis. Kinesis specializes in marketing, graphic and website design, and business writing. Visit http://www.kinesisinc.com/resources/article s.html for more articles and free marketing wisdom.
Want to harness the power of kinetic marketing? Sign up for Kinesis Quickies, a free bi-monthly marketing e-newsletter: http://www.news.kinesisinc.com
You can have first-rate products and services, but if you... Read More
Most people, when they hear the word branding, think logos... Read More
Today, in many organizations around the world, branding is treated... Read More
OK, so you took the plunge and purchased your internet... Read More
Marketing potential of any product is based on recognition and... Read More
As more and more home pressure washers are sold at... Read More
When we initially started our businesses, we had to decide... Read More
"You had me at hello," those famous words from the... Read More
Logos can be described as visual icons that provide a... Read More
Imagine if Yahoo! had been named TheInternetDirectoy. Or StarBucks was... Read More
One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision... Read More
Move over pop star "Posh Spice" Adams and English soccer... Read More
Ever had one of those conversations where you wondered what... Read More
Branding your comapny should be the first thing a company... Read More
Q: How important is the name of a business? Should... Read More
What about me? Are you asking yourself this question? If... Read More
How do automotive detailing companies start? What makes them work... Read More
Measuring brand equity allows a company to establish a baseline... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission has an obligation to the general... Read More
Studying various target-marketing techniques and here is a thought. We... Read More
Having a concise, clear image that you project to your... Read More
You work hard getting the right cover message and words... Read More
One of the critical drivers of business success is having... Read More
My business logo and color scheme started one lovely spring... Read More
Building your brand into a brand leader isn't easy. There... Read More
Feel that? The crisp tingle in the air? It's fall.... Read More
One of the most important things in a business is... Read More
Have you ever watched 5-year-olds play soccer? It should be... Read More
So... how have you been building your brand lately?Now, I'm... Read More
The Sears-Kmart merger hopes to fabricate some sort of silver... Read More
The marketing director for one of my longtime clients used... Read More
Many businesses of today are often driven to compete... Read More
Most people who own a small business have a huge... Read More
Initial lack of customers and cash flow often causes a... Read More
Propose success, demand performance, and brand your market with appeal.... Read More
How many times have you heard of seen advertising for... Read More
If you think only big corporate names need to think... Read More
Having a brand image is not a "have or have... Read More
Visual elements are a major part of your business's brand... Read More
Have you ever thought about branding your name? Does the... Read More
Every day, the average person is exposed to millions of... Read More
While we recommend that you contract with the same designer... Read More
1. It "sells itself." I don't need to market.Okay, you... Read More
An artist's statement is a statement of ideas and thoughts... Read More
Good marketing positioning is like good lying. No, we're not... Read More
Visual processing is the most important way for gathering information... Read More
Companies work hard building the strength of their brands -... Read More
...my senses. I know, you were thinking 'Texas'. Well, if... Read More
The one thing that everyone has in common is that... Read More
Your Value Proposition, or as I usually call it, your... Read More
Branding Branding |
|
| العاب | منتديات هيدى | الزاوية الحمراء | |
|
Pharaohs products egypt products Egypt shopping Shopping in Egypt sho Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center Egypt Pharaohs |