Before registering your trademark, it is vital to ensure there is no likelihood of confusion with another brand.
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7 Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Company's Trademark
Trademarking is a critical step to establishing a brand, but there is more to this process than registering a name, slogan, logo, or symbol to your company. You have to go the extra mile and keep your trademark safe from infringement by other companies. Here are seven steps you can take to protect your company’s trademark.
Do your homework
Before registering your trademark, it is vital to ensure there is no likelihood of confusion with another brand. This is the first step to protecting your trademark, and you need to properly prepare and file your application right to avoid rejections or alert other companies that your mark infringes on theirs. The safest way to manage this initial phase and avoid legal problems is by hiring a business attorney such as Attorney Sarah S. Shepard to assist you in preparing, filing, and protecting trademarks.
Choose a strong trademark
The strength of your trademark matters as it determines how protected your company will be from both purposeful and accidental infringement. As such, you should put effort into creating a distinct trademark that will set you apart from your competitors, is difficult to replicate, and elicits a desirable response from your customers.
Actively monitor your trademark
You are responsible for monitoring your trademark and ensuring that new applications do not conflict with it. This is among the top life hacks for entrepreneurs that will help you discover and stop infringements on your mark before another company starts actively using it.
Set trademark usage guidelines
It’s essential to create guidelines on how your brand’s trademark should be used. While there are general guidelines on trademark usage, you need to create and enforce internal and external policies on how your brand’s elements are used. These guidelines should not only be taught to your employees and business partners but are best published on your website for clarity purposes.
Use your trademark
A practical way to protect your trademark after registering it is by using it. Don’t be afraid to clarify that a specific symbol or mark is a registered trademark to your company on your publications, websites, packaging, and advertisements.
Enforce your trademark rights
It takes a lot to build a reputable brand image, and an important step to standing out from the crowd is by actively enforcing your trademark rights. You do not want other companies using similar trademarks, as this will only create confusion in the marketplace. Have your business attorney send out a cease and desist letter to companies infringing on your trademark rights. If they do not stop, you can file a lawsuit against them.
Maintain your trademark
Trademark registrations need to be renewed after filing maintenance documents between the fifth and sixth years to avoid cancellation. Avoid missing your deadlines by prioritizing keeping your trademark registration alive while keeping up with the latest government regulations.
Endnote
A company trademark plays a primary role in distinguishing your brand from other competitors, and you need to protect your marks to avoid infringements on your intellectual property.
