Registering your trademarks is a critical step for protecting your brand – but it’s definitely not easy to figure out without experience. Trademarks are unique identifiers, most often company or product names or logos, but slogans, hashtags, and even 3D shapes, sounds and scents can also constitute trademarks, if used in connection with specific products or services. Here’s is a simple rundown of the process for registering your trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). While the process may seem straightforward, there can be lots of pitfalls, so it’s always a good idea to consult with someone experienced in the process.
Run a trademark search (also known as a clearance or screening). The goal is to identify registered or prior-applied trademarks that are identical or similar to yours, and could therefore prevent the registration of your trademark. USPTO’s own searchable database (TESS) is the main tool used for this step. A search is not mandatory, but highly recommended to avoid unpleasant surprises as you proceed. Select an owner for the trademark. Sometimes the owner’s identity, but not always: An individual who does business through an LLC, for example, has the choice of applying in their own
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