“It's definitely a beautiful thing to have a little trademark or something that sets you apart from everyone else.” - Jadakiss

Should I register my trademark or not? That's a big question that everyone asks...

I get asked this question a lot, especially considering the expense and time-consumption of registering trademarks. My reasoning is always...it depends. I need to look at the overall business and what types of trademarks they are using. Which ones are being used as source identifiers, which ones will increase the value of the business, which ones will be able to get registered either through the state or the USPTO. I also consider whether or not state or federal registration is best. I enjoy meeting with business owners to devise a strategy to register certain marks. After our initial overview, I conduct a search and analyze the potential risks to registration.

With that said, here are 7 reasons why you should register your trademarks! 💥®👍

1. Provides Your Business with Legal Protection

Registering a trademark provides legal protection against others who might try to use the same or similar mark for similar products or services. As a trademark owner, you have the right to sue anyone who tries to use your mark without your permission, and can recover damages for any losses or harm caused by unauthorized use.

2. Increases Brand Recognition

A registered trademark helps your business build brand recognition while establishing a unique identity for it, making it easier for customers to identify and remember your business's products or services, and gives them confidence in the authenticity and quality of your products or services. Brand recognition increases your bottom line - the more people can recognize your business, the more business you get!

3. Builds Your Business's Reputation and Integrity

A registered trademark can enhance your business's reputation and credibility because customers have more confidence in your products and services. Registered trademarks signal customers that your brand is legitimate, established, and committed to maintaining its reputation.

Protecting your brand through trademark registration demonstrates your commitment to maintaining brand integrity and preventing dilution or unauthorized use. This commitment helps build trust with consumers, stakeholders, and can increase your business's reputation over time.

4. Increases the Value of Your Business

Registered trademarks can create a strong intellectual property portfolio, which contributes to the overall valuation of your company, making it more attractive to investors, partners, and potential buyers. Registered trademarks indicate the serious commitment your business has to building its intellectual property portfolio for long-term use.

5. Gives Your Business a Competitive Advantage

A registered trademark can give your business a competitive advantage over others in the same industry, which can make it difficult for competitors to use similar marks, and increase your business's reputation and credibility. For example, registered marks for beers can prevent other breweries from using the same name such as Rheingeist Truth or Mad Tree Thundersnow. Everyone knows famous marks like the Starbucks logo, Nike's "Just Do It," or Tiffany's blue box.

6. You Can Leverage Your Marks Through Franchising and Licensing

A registered trademark can be licensed or franchised to other businesses or individuals, providing a valuable source of revenue for the trademark owner. You can thereby potentially expand your business's market share, resulting in financial gain and a competitive edge in the marketplace.

7. Expands Your Business's Footprint in the Marketplace

Registered trademarks facilitate market expansion by providing nationwide protection. As your business grows and expands into new markets, your registered trademark ensures consistent brand identity and protection across different regions, strengthening your reputation among diverse consumer bases.

Overall, registering your trademarks offer your business several benefits that can boost your overall reputation, value, and give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.

We have several services and packages available to help you with applying for registration of your trademarks. We're happy to assist you with this monumental decision!