When starting a new business, most San Diego entrepreneurs spend a great deal of time perfecting their product, putting together their marketing plan, and hiring the right people. However, very few remember to sit down with a federal trademark lawyer to officially register the name of their company. This article explains the benefits of trademarking your name and briefly outlines how to trademark.
The Process: How To Trademark
All trademarks in the United States are handled through Federal Trademark registration. The first step in the process is to search the USPTO to determine whether someone has already trademarked your name. This can be complicated since there are various classes a person can apply for when seeking a Trademark. The second step is to decide on the type of mark you are looking to obtain. Once you apply and receive the trademark, the work does not stop there. In order to keep your trademark, it is important to police the mark and ensure no one else is infringing on your trademark rights. Finally, the last step is to ensure you renew your mark before the period expires. To read more about the process, check out our Trademark page.
If you are one of the many entrepreneurs who have failed to trademark their business name, you would be wise to do so as soon as possible. When you do, you can enjoy a wide range of compelling benefits, such as:
Brand Protection
You work hard every day to make sure that the general public and the business community have a high opinion of your company. When they think of your organization and your brand, you want them to remember how professional, ethical, and knowledgeable you are. You can accomplish this goal by carefully controlling your processes and being respectful to your vendors and clients at all times.
Unfortunately, if you fail to trademark your company name, there is a chance that a third party could begin using a moniker that is similar or identical to yours. You will have no control over how this third party behaves. If they decide to start selling shoddy products or engaging in nefarious business practices, their poor reputation may negatively impact the brand that you have worked so hard to build.
To avoid this nightmare scenario, all you need to do is sit down with a business attorney in San Diego and submit your trademark application.
Improved Company Reputation
If you wish to expand your business in a hurry, you may wish to raise money from outside investors. However, if your chosen backers see that you have not trademarked your company name, they may begin to think of your business as a fly-by-night operation. They may wonder why they should invest tens of thousands of dollars into your brand if you are not confident enough in its future to trademark the company name.
On the other hand, if an investor studies your business and finds that all of your trademarks are in order and your organization is ready to grow, they are likely to think quite highly of you. As a result of your increased reputation, you are likely to find it much easier to secure the investment you need.
Improved Merchandising Opportunities
As your brand grows more and more popular, you may wish to explore the possibility of increasing your revenue by selling merchandise with your company name on it. Unfortunately, if your merchandise sells well, but you have not trademarked your company name, another party may decide to create their own designs using your brand name.
When you take the time to register your trademark, you can prevent others from cutting into your income in this way. If the other party really wants to use your brand name, you can choose to license it to them instead.
Your Trusted Business Attorney in San Diego
If you would like to have a business lawyer help you reap the benefits of registering your company name, or you are looking for more information on how to trademark, please do not hesitate to contact the Semanchik Law Group at (619) 535-1811. Our experienced team is ready and waiting to walk you through every step in the process.
