If you only register your logo as a trademark, you don’t necessarily have trademark rights to your business name by itself—and that could leave your brand vulnerable.
What You’re Really Protecting with a Logo Trademark Registration
What are you really protecting with a logo trademark registration? A trademark registration for a logo (also known as a design mark) protects the specific visual elements of that design—the font, color scheme, graphics, and overall look. It does not protect your business name in a general sense.
If the name isn’t an essential part of the logo, it’s possible someone else could register the same or a similar name as a word mark (without any design elements) and gain broader protection to the name than your logo provides you. The more important the name is in the design, the more likely it is the logo registration could block someone else’s attempt to register just the name, but it’s not a lock.
What AREN’T you protecting with a logo trademark registration, and how do you make sure you’re fully protected? I’ll be covering that in the next few posts this week. The next one is out already. Subscribe to get notified when the rest drop!
If you want to make sure your brand is fully protected, consult with an experienced trademark attorney to develop the best strategy for your business.
If you’re launching, growing, or just unsure whether your business/brand name or your logo are truly protected, let’s talk. I help entrepreneurs across the U.S. make smart, legally sound decisions about names and logos.
If you’d like to consult with me, you can use my contact form or book a consultation online at kingpatentlaw.com or by calling my office at 312-596-2222 or 217-714-8558.
Please check out the other posts and pages on my website for more information on trademarks and other intellectual property and business law issues.
