With ever-increasing pressure from every angle, businesses that want to retain a competitive edge need to invest in brand protection. Protect yourself against those seeking to profit off your hard work and ingenuity by trademarking those things that identify your business and your products. At KLS, we help businesses and individuals obtain trademark protection so that they can focus on achieving their goals.
Understanding Trademarks
A trademark is any word, phrase, design, symbol, or combination of those things that is used to identify your products or your services. It identifies the source of your goods or services, provides legal protection for your brand, and helps guard against counterfeiting and other fraudulent practices.
When you have a trademark, it is important to note that you do not own the thing that is trademark, strictly speaking. Instead, you have protection regarding how your trademark is used in connection with your specific goods or services. For example, a cleaning company may trademark its logo. Other cleaning companies would be prohibited from using their slogan, but that protection may not extend to other unrelated industries or services.
Here are some examples of things that can be trademarked:
- Letters and words (examples include Google, Netflix, and Coca-Cola)
- Logos (such as the Apple logo and McDonald’s golden arches)
- Pictures or drawings (the Android robot and the Puma cat)
- Slogans (Nike’s “just do it” or McDonald’s “I’m lovin’ it)
- Any combination of the above
An experienced trademark attorney from our firm can discuss with you what elements of your brand are able to be trademarked.
Trademark Ownership Versus Registration
You may or may not be aware that you own your trademark as soon as you begin using it in connection with your business. In other words, you do not need to actually register your trademark in order to have some protection. However, your trademark rights will be limited and will only be enforceable in the geographic area where you offer your goods or services.
Registration will strengthen your trademark rights and provide nationwide protection. The cost of registration is often minimal compared to the potential benefits. A trademark attorney from KLS can discuss whether the investment would benefit your business.
Foreign Trademark Protection
Of course, trademark registration only provides protection in the country where your trademark is registered. Many of our clients operate in the United States and abroad and, therefore, need trademark protection in foreign countries. KLS can provide guidance on foreign trademark protection and assist in the filing of foreign trademark applications. We also work with foreign trademark counsel, keeping you informed as to the process and ensuring that the application is appropriately managed.
Talk to a Trademark Attorney at KLS Today
If you have a brand, it deserves protection. Investing in trademark protection can be one of the most valuable ways to invest in the success of your business. To discuss how we can help you protect your brand, contact us today by phone or email to schedule a consultation.