What happens if you steal an idea?
Stealing someone else’s patented idea is a civil offense that can bring about lawsuits, but a patent must be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to be protected.
What happens if someone is using your business name?
Infringing on the Trademark Name The owner will need to consider carefully before he or she continues to the next step. If there is a trademark in place for his or her company and someone else created a new entity with the same name, this owner can pursue a legal claim and contact a lawyer for a legal remedy.
How do I make sure no one can steal my business name?
To be sure no one improperly uses your business’s name or branding, you need to obtain a trademark. To do so, you’ll need to file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Filing an application does not automatically mean your trademark will be approved.
Can someone steal your logo?
Logo theft is a violation that occurs when one party steals or uses another party’s trademarked logo without their permission. This is a more specific term for trademark infringement, and can take many forms. It typically involves the theft of a trademark or a service mark.
How do I claim my brand name?
Registering a trademark for a company name is pretty straightforward. Many businesses can file an application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Web site, www.uspto.gov.
Should I trademark my LLC name?
If you have already incorporated or formed an LLC for your business, you should register your trademark under the umbrella of the corporation or LLC. And if you are considering incorporating or forming an LLC but haven’t gotten around to it yet, you should do so before registering any trademarks.
Should I file a trademark myself?
It is certainly possible for entrepreneurs to file applications and successfully register trademarks on their own. If this is the route you choose, then it is well worth your time to familiarize yourself with the application process in order to decrease the chance of a costly problem.
How much does it cost to trademark your business name?
The basic cost to trademark a business name ranges from $225 to $600 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest and least expensive way to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).
Do I trademark or copyright a name?
Generally, copyrights protect creative or intellectual works, and trademarks apply to commercial names, phrases, and logos. Trademarks fall under the auspices of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, while copyrights are granted by the U.S. Copyright Office.
