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Trademark Question; Help me S.U.N.!

businessnewbiebusinessnewbie subscriber Posts: 1
edited October 2006 in Protecting Your Ideas
 
I`d like to apply for a trademark for my business soon.  Do I register the business name in one filing, and the logo design in a separate filing? I sure hope not; a trademark search fee and two trademark registration fees will put a big dent in my start-up budget.  Please advise.
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Comments

  • mchutchmchutch subscriber Posts: 7
    Hi,

    Registering your business name is separate then trademarking your logo. You
    may put a TM next to your logo but that means you are in the process of
    having it trademarked and registered as uniquely yours in your
    industry. This can buy you some time until you have the funds to
    register it. If you do not follow through, and actually register the
    mark with the USPTO then someone can come along and develop a very
    similar looking mark and register it with the USPTO before you. Actually getting your logo registered is subject to a review by the USPTO.

    There are a lot companies that do not have their logos trademarked or
    registered because they are in fields that the chances of having a logo
    copied or stolen are pretty slim. If there is an issue with someone
    copying the mark then this usually falls into the hands of intellectual
    property lawyers and that is where excellent files and record keeping
    come in handy. But, nobody really wants to go there.

    Patents are generally for inventions and if you have a unique invention
    you can file a provisional patent which is cheaper than the completer
    patent process and it can date your invention and hold up in court.

  • NuevolutionNuevolution subscriber Posts: 30 Bronze Level Member
    Couldn`t be explained any better.. I think your question has been answered
  • mchutchmchutch subscriber Posts: 7
    I forgot to mention that if you have a uniquely identifying name for your product or service, in short, a brand name, the same process applies. For example you probably couldn`t trademark, Joe Smith Tree Service but you probably trademark SmithArbor. You can have a logo designed with the brand name in it or not. Or you could trademark the brand name without a logo, though that would not be advisable as a logo or logotype will help identify you and establish a brand presence.
  • businessnewbiebusinessnewbie subscriber Posts: 1
    Thank you all so much for helping me out.  I have the right plan of action now. Forums like this are great because it led me to the right source for my answer.
    www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm</A> 
    says,
    "There are two possible trademark formats: (1) standard character format ; or (2) stylized  or design format. The standard character format should be used to register word(s), letter(s), number(s) or any combination thereof, without claim to any particular font style, size, or color, and absent any design element. Registration of a mark in the standard character format will provide broad rights, namely use in any manner of presentation. The stylized or design format, on the other hand, is appropriate if you wish to register a mark with a design element or word(s) or letter(s) having a particular stylized appearance that you wish to protect. The two types of mark formats cannot be mixed in one mark; do not submit a representation of a mark that attempts to combine a standard character format and a stylized or design format."
    I`m going to trademark the business name using the standard format because I`m really only interested in protecting the actual name.  My logo is not so unique that I`m going to spend money to protect it.  I got it from using logoyes.com anyhow. It`s pretty plain.
     
     
  • LordEmsworthLordEmsworth subscriber Posts: 0
    Most things that have been said on this thread more or less answer the original question.  But there is one common misconception that I must correct.  A provisional patent appliacation should not be any cheaper to write than a non-provisional.  This is because the the two types of applications must be written to meet the same legal requirements.  The only exception is that claims do not have to be included with the provisional application. 
    However, professionals start drafting the application with the claims.  Not writing claims can lead to introduction of new matter later on which could prove fatal to the priority date.  Also, filing a provisional delays the start of examination by up to a year.  This is a bad idea when the USPTO is so overloaded that it can take 1-3 years to get a first Office Action.  For these and other reasons I do not recommend filing non-provisionals.
  • stevesteve subscriber Posts: 14
    Could those qualified in trademark law comment on the following  hypothetical scenario?

    Person 1 registers the domain "abc.com" and the page is parked with no content or obvious business function for several months.

    Person 2 registers the domains "abc.net", "abc.biz", etc...  and begins using them in business.

    Person 2 files trademark application for the phrase "abc".


    What, if any, constraint or limitation does Person 2`s trademark of the
    phrase "abc" impose on Person 1`s use of the "abc.com" domain name?

    Does being the first to register a domain name have any impact on subsequent trademark applications?
  • LordEmsworthLordEmsworth subscriber Posts: 0
    First you have to separate domain names from trademarks.  Domain names are simply addresses on the web.  People usually like them to be their company or brand name.  This is just for consumer convenience: there is no absolute requirement.  A trademark distinguishes the goods of a company from similar goods being offered in the marketplace.  Thus a trademark must not be confusing similar to trademarks for similar goods. 
    Second, in the United States, trademark rights arise upon use and not upon registration.  Registration is valuable for many purposes (especially in case of litigation) and I recommend doing it at the earliest opportunity. 
    So I think that Person 2`s prior use of the mark "abc" will constrain Person 1`s use of a similar mark.  If Person 1 starts to sell goods with a mark similar to "abc" Person 2 would be able to file suit for trademark infringement.  Further, depending on where Person 2 has filed her application, the mere fact of an application and, possibly eventual registration, may prevent Person 1 from registering her mark.
    For the reasons given above, I think that just registring a domain name will not have any impact on subsequent trademark applications.
    For all the above reasons I strongly recommend doing a trademark search BEFORE selecting a trademark that you want to use with any new business. 
  • MitchellMitchell subscriber Posts: 0
    Could those qualified in trademark law comment on the following  hypothetical scenario?

    Person 1 registers the domain "abc.com" and the page is parked with no content or obvious business function for several months.
    Person 2 registers the domains "abc.net", "abc.biz", etc...  and begins using them in business.
    Person 2 files trademark application for the phrase "abc".
    What, if any, constraint or limitation does Person 2`s trademark of the phrase "abc" impose on Person 1`s use of the "abc.com" domain name?Does being the first to register a domain name have any impact on subsequent trademark applications?
    Hi Steve,
  • MitchellMitchell subscriber Posts: 0
     
    Addendum to my response to Q2. Make that registered and pending marks at the USPTO, to be completely accurate. 
  • stevesteve subscriber Posts: 14
    Thanks Norton and Mitchell,

    I have one more hypothetical question:

    Business 1 is operating in one US city - has no trademark protection for the name.
    Business 2 begins operating online using the same name with the
    intention of opening brick & mortar retail locations, perhaps
    franchising - obtains trademark on the name.

    What rights does each business have to the name?


    Steve2006-8-22 17:15:14
  • LordEmsworthLordEmsworth subscriber Posts: 0
    We had this situation happen with one of our clients.  In fact Business 1 has the has prior trademark rights in its sphere of influence and can stop Business 2 from entering that sphere.  Our client got some sort of settlement from the infringer.
  • LordEmsworthLordEmsworth subscriber Posts: 0
    In the United States, trademark rights arise upon use and not upon registration.  However, registration provides you with additional rights.   So it is good that you have started the registration process.  Also, earlier use usually prevails.  So it sounds like you have the right to demand that the later user cease and desist.  However, you should be prepared for litigation, should they not do so.  This is rather complex and touchy so you would be better off hiring an attorney for this.
    Another avenue would be to research if they have also applied for a trademark and oppose their application for registration.  Again this gets complex (it`s very similar to litigation and you would be better off hiring an attorney.   
    If we can assist with either of these, let me know.
  • pepperlegalpepperlegal subscriber Posts: 2 Member
    Mike,There are many variables to your question.  Every intellectual property right carries with it its own sets of rules and laws.  Using a trademark as an example, where is A iusing the trademark?  County level?  State?  Federal?  A`s ability to prevent others from using his mark depends (1) on the geographical scope of the trademark, and (2) the class of products and services associated with the mark.  So, if B is using the same or similar mark in either a jurisdiction outside of A`s trademark scope, or is offering products/services outside of the class of A`s goods or services, there may not be an infringement.This is a very rough overview, and there are certain exceptions that apply.Dan
  • pepperlegalpepperlegal subscriber Posts: 2 Member
    No problem, Mike.  Happy to help.Maybe next time I order a Domino`s Pizza, I`ll have some fun with the employee and ask if this is "Dominos."  When they say, "it`s Domino`s Pizza," I can repeat the process until they finally cave and I can claim infringement.
  • stevesteve subscriber Posts: 14
    When I worked  at  Dominos
    Pizza  years  ago I was told that we had to answer the phone
    dominos pizza  notjust  dominos because  there was
    another firmalready  establish,   Ithink they said 
    flour,    that almost  sounds  like a 
    different class pizza ....  flour   maybe 
    not    ,, then  again  I have 
    concluded  that  you cant  always  believe 
    everything  you hear  , maybe  I  was  given
    some bad information  from a non professional.The
    trademark infringement suit was from the makers of Domino Sugar.

    Interesting article in Wikipedia. I wonder what the VW beetle is worth
    today that Tom Monaghan gave his brother for his half interest in the
    original store? Bet James Monaghan is still kicking himself over that
    deal.
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