[Masterpiece]

Just curious as to how many here have had their Business names and/or logos trademarked for security, for what it's worth....

One individual I've known for years has a garage door install. businesses. There are now 4 other garage door installers w/the same name in the same metro area which has hurt his sales lately.

Of course the larger more profitable businesses may not have to worry as much but what about the smaller guys that may not advertise and be as well known?

Does anyone really worry about name/logo duplication and if so, what have you found that may offer some protection from lazy duplicators?

Jeremy

 

[Brian]

If you put the little TM on your logo, you are protected. You do not necessarily need to register your marks, though it does give you a little extra legal leverage.

Look at the PaintTalk logo, for example.

Brian Phillips

 

[Masterpiece]

Thanks Brian...I was curious if any actually went through the legalalities of actual trademarking (via Sec of state,etc). I never seriously considered it myself but some I know have gone through graphic designers or web sites and had them 'trademarked', but I've wondered what was actually being done by these design/printing businesses.

I'm going to check around and see what fee is required for adding the 'TM' to the logo and what is possible in this state....

Jeremy

 

[Brian]

The only fee to add TM to your logo is what the designer charges. The TM establishes your right to a trademark, just as the copyright symbol does. When you use those marks, you are claiming ownership. If you can prove that you used the mark before anyone else, then you own it (that's a crude way of putting it, but that captures the essence).

Now, if you are in Ohio and someone in Texas has a similar logo, you don't have any protection if your business is local. Trademark protection is basically to protect you from others who would confuse your customers. In other words, if someone not competing with you uses a similar logo, it isn't harming you. I think it sucks, but there is no harm.

I've never actually registered any trademarks, to answer that part of your post.

Brian Phillips