Developing a product and brand from scratch can be time-consuming, from perfecting the product itself to outlining a proper sales plan, there are many facets that go into establishing your own brand. An extremely important step in this process is working towards trademarking your brand to protect your intellectual property. Here is what you need to know about the process:
Do Your Research
Once you have chosen your brand name and logo, conduct thorough research to make sure there aren’t other food and beverage brands with similarities. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a Trademark Electronic Search System you can utilize to properly check before starting the trademark registration.
During your research ensure that no live trademark in that database that has been registered or applied for meets the following criteria: similar to your trademark, used on related products, or for related services. It can be beneficial to utilize a U.S. licensed attorney who specializes in trademark law during this process to analyze and offer aid. It is required for foreign-domiciled applicants to have a trademark attorney.
The Registration Process
When you are ready to submit your application, you can file it online and pay the non-refundable fee. This process can take months to complete so make sure to regularly check on the status of your application and documents to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines. If your application is approved, you will be granted full protection on your registered trademark making your brand name and logo fully yours. If are considering launching your product in countries outside of the United States, you will need to register for each trademark separately.
Just got approved and ready to hit the shelves?
