如何为您的企业提供商标

命名您的业务是打开它的最有趣和最关键的部分之一。您花点时间研究是否可用,请其他人提出意见,并向国家注册,以合法地提出您的主张。但是,足够了吗?以防万一,最好给您的业务名称提供商标可能是个好主意。了解如何商标以保护您的公司免受一致的影响。

3 Steps on how to trademark a name

There are a few steps included in how to trademark a business name. So, how do you trademark a name? The three steps to follow are:

  1. 搜索您的业务名称以检查可用性
  2. Complete an application for a trademark
  3. 提交商标申请

商标商标名称的三个步骤包括检查可用性,完成申请并提交商标申请的业务名称。

If you decide to copyright your company’s name, you must follow all three steps. You can only use a specific trademark, copyright, or registered trademark symbol if you have an approved application.

1. Search your business’s name

当您刚开始业务时,您选择了一个名称。该名称可能是您的实际名称或doing business as(DBA) name (aka a trade name). Then, you registered your business name with the state.

You checked to see if your company’s name was available to register with the state. If the first name wasn’t available, you worked until you had a name that was available and fit your business.

Now, it’s time to search again. Businesses across the country may have the same or similar names. Why? Because a name that’s available in one state may be used by a business in another state (which could be a not-so-fun surprise if you have an online store). To apply for and receive a trademark for your business’s name, it must not already be registered by another business in the entire country.

When trademarking your company’s name, search for your specific nameand类似名称。为什么?如果名称与现有商标太相似,则美国专利商标局(USPTO)可能会拒绝商标申请。例如,洋基·杜德尔(Yankee Doodle)的苗圃和洋基杜德尔(Yankee Doodle)苗圃可能太相似了,无法获得商标。

您如何搜索商标名称?使用商标电子搜索系统(苔丝)。该系统允许用户以五种方式搜索数据库(例如,仅单词或单词和设计)。

2. Complete an application for a trademark

Do you plan to trademark a name you currently use or a name you plan to use in the future? The USPTO allows users to apply for a trademark in either case. And, users can choose to submit one of two electronic forms:

  • 茶加
  • TEAS Standard

所有申请者必须提交他们的选择形成刺ough the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

茶加applications have more up-front requirements but a lower fee per class of goods and services. The TEAS Standard application has fewer up-front requirements but a higher cost per class of goods and services. And, all TEAS Standard applicants must eventually meet all application requirements.

Regardless of the selected application, the application includes 10 sections to complete:

  • Applicant’s name and address
  • Citizenship state and legal entity of the applicant
  • Designated name and address of contact individual (does not have to be the applicant’s information)
  • Name for the trademark or drawing of the mark to be trademarked
  • Description of the mark, if applying for one
  • A list of specific goods or services the trademark application covers
  • 商品或服务类
  • Date the mark was first in use and an example of it in use
  • Signature of the applicant or representative with the date
  • Fee for the appropriate application and number of classes included

Provide all necessary information for your specific trademark. The USPTO does not offer assistance with completing the application. Consult a business lawyer or an attorney specializing in trademark registration with any questions.

3, File the trademark application

同样,您有两种提交商标的选择。Teas Plus选项价格便宜,并提供了简化的体验。Plus选项中有一个预设商品和服务清单。而且,拒绝率较低。

The TEAS Standard application is more expensive and time-consuming. But, businesses providing goods or services that do not fall under the preset list of TEAS Plus may benefit from using the Standard application process.

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提交商标申请后

Submitted your trademark application? Great! Now, it’s time to wait. The USPTO will examine the application and give your application a serial number. And, the trademark office assigns a trademark examining attorney to your application.

应用程序检查律师评论ensure it meets all legal requirements and can be registered. During the review, the USPTO searches currently registered and pending trademark applications to evaluate if there are any conflicts. Additional research informs the USPTO if the trademark applies to the selected industry, reviews the specific goods or services listed, and ensures compliance with the filing requirements.

从头到尾,整个商标过程需要12到18个月。不能保证商标办公室将批准该申请。申请人可以使用Trademark Status and Document Retrieval(TSDR)系统。

FAQs for trademarked names

在考虑商标名称时,您可能会有一些疑问。这是一些常见问题。

1.商标名称有什么好处?

您的业​​务名称可以使您受益的商标有几个原因。一些好处包括:

  • Presumed ownership of the business name in the United States
  • Exclusive rights to using any associated symbols, logos, slogans, or images for the goods or services listed in the registrations
  • Ability to pursue legal matters regarding trademark infringement in federal court rather than through state courts
  • 通过网络方式保护您的品牌名称,包括URL域名Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
  • 在进口商品使用您的确切或基本类似商标的情况下,请求美国海关和边境保护局的协助

2. Is there a difference between a trademark, a service mark, and a trade name?

商标和服务标记是互换使用的术语。但是,有区别。商标保护出售的商品,而服务商标则保护服务。

商品名称仅仅是代替实际业务名称(又称DBA)的名称。当官方法律名称太长或其原始名称太近时,许多公司使用商标名称。

3. Should businesses trademark their company names?

没有法律要求指出企业必须商标。但是,如果您从事大量的州际或国际贸易,商标的好处可以保护您的品牌身份和知识产权。州注册没有与联邦商标相同的保护。

4.商标申请成本多少?

名称的商标取决于该应用程序。商标注册有两种应用程序,应用之间的成本有所不同。那么,商标名称要花多少钱?

茶加application cost:The cost to apply using the TEAS Plus option is $250 per class of goods or services on the application. For example, a business with two classes of goods would pay $500 ($250 X 2).

TEAS Standard application cost:使用TEAS标准选项申请的费用为应用程序中的每类商品或服务350美元。拥有两类商品的企业将支付$ 700($ 350 x 2)。

5. Does my trademark registration last forever?

商标注册不会永远持续下去。但是,企业可以通过遵循所需的步骤来保持其商标活动:

  • 继续使用商业商标
  • File all所需的维护表格和文件及时
  • Promptly delete any goods or services from the registration if no longer in use
  • 支付所有费用

Failure to comply with the requirements will cause the USPTO to invalidate the trademark.

这不是法律建议;有关更多信息,请click here.

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