Brand It: Trademarks for Small Business

Starting a new small business? Have a side hustle but not sure if you need protection?

Trademarks are an easy strategy for a small business to ensure protection of your business name and brand from the beginning. The best time to think about trademarks is from the very beginning. Ideally, add trademarks to your marketing and design plans.

Trademarks are one of the best ways to protect your new business and your products or services.

When starting a business your business name can be the core of your brand, if a trademark search is not done from the start issues may arise, such as being required to change your name in the industry.  Trademarks were created to protect confusion in the marketplace and to prevent a competitor from selling similar goods and services in the United States under the same or similar business or brand name.

Why Register Trademarks for your Small Business?

A registered trademark will protect you against another business that uses your name as well as give you a right to protection against a business that uses a brand that is similar or may confuse your valuable customers.

Trademarks allow customers and consumers to distinguish your brand from competing businesses and create brand loyalty and identity.

Think about trademarks such as the Apple symbol and Nike swish mark, these logos and names instantly bring an image to your mind. Trademarks help build recognition to your brand and its reputation.

Why Register a Trademark Early?

Until a trademark is registered, or an application is filed, a competing business can use your business or brand name and claim ownership of use. If a mark is not registered, you are unable to enforce rights against your name brand. 

Further, if your requested trademark is already in use, you may be infringing on someone else’s rights prior to even launching your endeavor!

If you’re starting a business, register trademarks sooner then later to protect your business name and to distinguish your brand from competitors.

Photo by: <a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by rawpixel.com / Freepik</a>