A trademark is the identity of your business, and you need to protect it at all costs. It makes it easy to communicate and connect with customers who usually associate the trademark with the goods or services your company provides. When another party misuses your trademark, it could negatively affect business due to the reputational damage you may suffer.
Therefore, you need to be proactive when protecting your brand. It might save your company a lot of trouble and money.
Do your research
Is your trademark similar to another out there? If so, then you might need to change it. Given the likelihood of confusion, you need a trademark that does not resemble any other. You need to research and compare against registered trademarks to ensure that your trademark is unique to your company.
Register your trademark
You need to register your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect it legally. Respond accurately to any information requested and observe any deadlines in your application to ensure formal recognition.
Monitor and maintain your trademark
The USPTO does not enforce trademarks, and it is up to you to ensure that your trademark is not being misused. You can do this through various ways, including online searches or going through new trademark registration applications. Keep in mind that you will need to renew your trademark after a certain period, failure to which it will not be legally recognized.
Know the actions to take
If another party is misusing our trademark, you need to take action as soon as possible. Knowing the various options at your disposal will ensure that you defend your brand’s identity and protect your business interests. However, it depends on how fast you act to an infringement before the damage is done.