Trademark 101, choose a good business or product name and registration explained (LRM S1E6)
Legal Road Map®: copyright, trademark and business law info for online entrepreneurs · Autumn Witt Boyd
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Show Notes
How can you create the most value in your brand? Start by choosing a great company or product name, then check to make sure no one else is already using it. Plus learn why a federal trademark registration could help your business.
(Be sure to listen to Episode 5 first for an overview of the different kinds of IP; Episode 6 builds on Episode 5).
Episode highlights:
- What kinds of brand and company names make the best trademarks? Fanciful, arbitrary, suggestive, descriptive and generic marks explained.
- How can you search to see if a trademark is already being used?
- Is checking for domain name availability good enough as a trademark search?
- When does it make sense to register a trademark?
- How does the federal trademark registration process work? Do you need to hire an attorney?
- How long does a trademark registration last?
- Should you use the ™ and ® symbols?
KEY TAKEAWAY: One of the easiest legal protections you can DIY is a thorough trademark search to be sure you're not infringing anyone else's rights, and are building value in a brand you can actually protect.
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This podcast is information not legal advice specific to your situation.