Most people start their businesses in Oklahoma without thinking about whether they need to trademark the names of their enterprises. Although establishing a trademark for your business isn’t necessary, some situations warrant it. Here is what you need to consider.
What is a trademark?
Whether you have a symbol, design, logo, word or phrase, you can trademark it if that element distinguishes your offering from all others in your field. You don’t need to necessarily register a trademark once the public identifies you with it, but if you decide to do so, it will become easier to enforce any disputes that may arise.
How trademarking a business is different
When you register for a trademark, you have two choices: registering for a product or a business. Trademarking a name under business law these days is done primarily to brand a business. Products are usually trademarked if they have unique elements unknown to other manufacturers. If you decide to trademark your business name, you’ll need to determine how important that name is to your brand. Registering your business name as a trademark also provides certain benefits, such as it:
- Prevents others from using your name to avoid confusion
- Boosts national recognition
- Helps secure funding for your brand should you need it
Registering your trademark
Filing a trademark application involves a considerable amount of research. As a business owner, you need to pay attention to the specifics of your application and ensure that it is submitted on time. Staying on top of the status of your application is important in obtaining your trademark.
If you want to ensure that the U.S. government approves your application, you may be able to improve your chances by working with a legal professional. Finding someone who knows the legalities of this process can make the job easier.