Why you should consider trademarking your business
Are you starting up your own company and want to make sure it is as recognisable as possible? If you are starting your own company or business from scratch, you've probably heard of the word Trademarking.
A Trademark is described as a recognisable logo, name, or phrase that is exclusive to a specific company. In this article, we are going to talk about the benefits of registering for one and how it is necessary for your company or business.
Types of trademarks:
As mentioned above, trademarks or brand names are recognisable pieces that individuals use to identify your company. There are two types, known as Word Marks and Design Marks. Design Marks are used to protect a logo or image, while Word Marks protect individual words or phrases. This includes any unique spelling or invented names.
Secure your idea:
The main reason why most people choose to trademark their business is that if you don't, other people can use it. You could spend years building up your business to become successful, but if you don't have a trademark, other rival companies can and probably will steal your ideas.
If you don't choose to secure your design, and another company uses it, You could then be facing damage fines and other costs associated with remarketing your entire company.
When it comes to securing a trademark, some people opt to do it themselves, whilst some others go through a trademark attorney. When it comes to determining if you need a trademark attorney, you want to take a look at the added benefits and how it can help your business or company.
Add value to your business:
By registering your own trademark, your company creates a unique sense of value and can be distinguished easily between other similar brands. When you think of any major companies, you ultimately think of their primary logo or phrase. In short, terms, having a unique trademark can make your business iconic and genuinely stand out amongst the crowd.
You can control your trademark:
When you complete the registration process and finally own your mark, you also have the right to sell it to other companies later on down the track. This means that when you register, you have exclusive rights and can use your trademark in marketing strategies and campaigns. They also never expire, meaning that you never have to worry about re-registering and keeping it up to date.
Enhance your customer base:
When you have established a reputable business, having your own iconic design to identify you, allows your customers to find your products more efficiently. This could be via social media or even by walking down the main street. Iconic trademarks such as McDonald's, and other fast-food chains, have created logos that allow them to be recognised from a mile away.
Overview:
By looking at the above benefits, it's clear to see that registering for a trademark is one of the wisest choices you can make when starting up your new business. They are relatively inexpensive, and since they don't expire, there aren't generally any other costs associated with them. With the protection that they supply and the endless marketing possibilities, they are recommended for everybody.
Need help with inventing a trademark?
If you have decided upon getting a Design Mark or Word Mark, but have no idea how to create one, there are also some steps that you can follow. Try avoiding generic terms and words; you want to create something that isn’t plagiarised and stands out amongst other competitors. If you are looking for something genuinely different, you can even invent words like some other businesses have done in the past. Once you've chosen, then you can work with a graphic designer to make your dream a reality.
It’s also important to note that there are some words that cannot be used in a Word Mark. For example, you cannot use any surnames, and you can’t use any words that are descriptive of specific goods such as ‘hot’ or ‘tea’.
And there you have it! These were some of the benefits and reasons why you should consider registering a trademark for your business or company. Good luck with the process, and follow the steps above you are trying to create a new mark.
Remember to look into the registration guidelines, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it on your own, you can always hire a trademark attorney to take you through the entire process. Trademark attorneys can help you fight back against any queries and assist with getting your specific design approved.
