If you are starting a business in Massachusetts, you are taking on a great deal of responsibility. It will be up to you to run your business in a way that results in profits. This will begin with knowing how to trademark your logo.
What is the process for trademarking a logo?
It’s important to trademark your logo to avoid commercial litigation. You can do this through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This can be somewhat costly and time-consuming, but part of running a business is protecting your intellectual property.
The next step is to categorize your product. There are 45 different classes your product can fall into. You will need to choose a class and then submit a description of the product.
You need to make sure that your logo meets the official USPTO guidelines. You must also make sure that the logo you desire to trademark is not being used or held in reserve by anyone else. An online logo registry check will help you avoid a trademark infringement lawsuit.
You will also need to submit a specimen of how your logo will be used. This can be a simple photo of an item you have for sale with your logo on it.
What happens after you submit your application?
After you have completed the above steps, you can submit your application to the USPTO. You should receive a confirmation immediately. If there are no issues that need to be resolved, the review process can begin. You may need to wait six months to a year before you get a final verdict, but then you will be free to use your intellectual property to promote your products or services.
