Why Should You Register Your Trademark?

Congratulations on starting your new business! By now, you’ve probably rented office space, hired a few employees, started circulating products, and retained counsel. You may have also invested money in online advertising campaigns, flyers, print ads, and more in efforts to make your name and products known to the public. Fantastic. In light of all the excitement, however, you may have overlooked the importance of filing and registering your trademark. One of the most important things any business owner can do is to work with counsel to properly search, clear, and register your company’s trademark. Think of your trademark as your “brand.” At the end of the day, your trademark assures consumers that a product “comes from you” and that they can expect the same top quality products anytime they see your brand or trademark on the packaging. By registering your trademark, you have the following rights and benefits (among others):

Proof of ownership of the mark;
The exclusive right to sell products bearing your mark;
The right to oppose and challenge others from registering the same or identical mark for the same goods or services; or for different goods and services that may cause confusion with your mark;
The right to use the courts to stop the use of confusingly similar marks.

You’ve worked hard to start your business and you pride yourself on quality – protect your brand.