Why You Should Register Your Trademarks
There are 31.7 million small businesses in the US, accounting for 99.9% of American companies. One important decision the owners of these businesses often have to make is whether or not to register their trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
While registering a business trademark isn't required for American companies, it offers several benefits to your brand. For example, it can provide legal protection against infringement and increase your value as a business..
Unsure whether you should register your business trademarks? Here are some benefits to help you reconsider:
1. Legal Brand Ownership
A trademark registration officially confirms that you're the legal owner of your brand. As such, no other business can copy the trademark or use it for purposes without your permission.
No other company can also register that trademark with the USPTO since the USPTO will add the trademark to its database to prevent anyone else from registering a similar trademark.
Furthermore, if a brand copies or uses your registered trademark without authorization, you can take legal action against them.
2. Adds Value to Your Company
Your trademark separates your brand from other businesses selling similar products. As such, your customers can easily recognize your services among competitors.
Registering your trademarks can also increase the company's value, which you will want if you plan to sell your company or attract serious investors. Furthermore, after registering your
trademark, you can use the ® symbol, which adds credibility and professionalism to your products and services as you build the brand.
3. Exclusive Rights
Since you're registering your trademark with the USPTO you have federal backing and exclusive rights to the trademark across the U.S.. As a result, other businesses are put on "constructive notice" that you own the trademark.
In other words, if another brand infringes your trademark and you file a lawsuit, you don't have to prove in court that they had prior notice that the trademark is legally yours.
The court can restrict them from further use of your trademark with a cease and desist letter bearing your trademark's registration.
4. Ensure Your Mark Doesn't Infringe
Your trademark registration will involve investigations by the USPTO to determine if another business has registered the same trademark or something similar.
In other words, a trademark registration can help you determine if you're infringing the trademark rights of another company.
5. Trademark Protection in Foreign Countries
If you decide to expand your services to other countries, your US trademark registration can help you register your trademark in a foreign nation without too many legal proceedings.
Conclusion
Trademark registration is often not one of the things you consider when establishing a business. However, it can protect your products and services from infringement and theft from the beginning.
With a registered trademark, you can restrict other businesses from unlawfully using your company's logo or brand name to sell products and can file a lawsuit when they do so.
Trademark registration also adds credibility and legitimacy to your business and could increase your company's value in case of a sale. Finally, registering your trademark can prevent you from infringing another company's trademark rights.
Have questions about registering your brand’s trademarks? Schedule a call with our firm to began the process of owning and protecting your business’ intellectual property.