What protection does my logo need?

Creating great branding for your product is essential. Your logo and other branding can signal to your customers that they will get the quality and service that they expect from your products.

As you develop your business and your brand, you know it is essential to protect the intellectual investment you have put into your product. While you may have filed for a patent for your product, it can be equally crucial to protect your logo as well.

Here’s what you should know about protecting your company’s logo.

Copyright is not enough

There is a substantial amount of your marketing material covered under copyright law, but it does not protect everything. Copyright and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) can help you protect some of your written materials and your web content but does not cover your logo and other branding.

Registering a trademark can include material such as:

• Logo
• Brand names
• Designs
• Slogans
• Unique terms associate with your brand

When you protect your brand with a trademark, you can help your customers understand what they are purchasing and if they have encountered a fake product.

Registering a trademark

Going through the process of applying can feel intimidating. While the process can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, it is important to get started, so your trademark can have the protection it needs.

Before you start your application, it is important to talk to a skilled professional. There are many instances where the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejects an application or requests additional fees. An experienced attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes.