Do I Need Trademark Protection for My Business?
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Trademarks play an important role in the branding of products and services. Not only are trademarks crucial to brand recognition, but filing a trademark is a way to protect the value of your brand. Filing a trademark also provides you with legal protections, such as presumed trademark ownership.
At Anthony J. Madonia & Associates Ltd., we’ve helped many businesses obtain and enforce their trademarks. We can help you register your trademark with the federal government and provide protection against trademark infringement. Trademarks have real value, and we’ll ensure your rights are protected.
Importance of Trademark Protection
In this day and age, it can be difficult for a brand to stand out. Trademarks are an effective way to associate your products and services with your brand. It’s possible to trademark logos, phrases, and words associated with your brand.
When you register your trademark, you can ensure that other businesses aren’t able to use branding that’s similar to yours. A trademark can be a way to protect the name of your business, your slogan, or the logo you use in your branding. It can help to prevent confusion over where products and services come from.
Registering your trademark can also help you to avoid trademark infringement. With the help of a trademark attorney in Chicago, you can ensure that you’re not unintentionally infringing on another business’s trademark. Proactively registering your trademark could potentially avoid legal problems in the future.
Trademark Process
To register your trademark, you’ll need to apply with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It can be a long and complex process, so it’s best to work with an experienced Illinois trademark attorney. We’ll handle every step of the process, including:
Searching current trademarks to look for potential infringement
Completing an application for trademark registration
Filing your application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Renewing your trademark once your application has been approved
Many issues can arise when registering a trademark. Not all words or phrases are eligible to be trademarked. When you file a trademark, you must do due diligence and confirm that another brand has not registered a similar trademark. You may need to change your branding to register your trademark.
Once your trademark has been registered, you’re responsible for enforcing the trademark. If you fail to use the trademark, or if you don’t challenge other businesses that use your trademark, your branding could lose protection. While the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office doesn’t enforce its registered trademarks, a Chicago trademark lawyer can watch for infringement and take action as needed.
Also, you must periodically renew it. In Illinois, trademark registrations are effective for five years from the date the trademark is registered. Failing to renew your trademark in time could cause your registration to be canceled.
Working with an attorney is the best way to ensure that your trademark is renewed ahead of the deadline.
Looking for a Chicago Trademark Attorney?
A trademark can provide your brand with invaluable protection. With a trademark, you can take action against other businesses that use your branding. When you work with a trademark attorney, you can also ensure that your business isn’t infringing on another brand’s trademark.
If you want to protect your trademark, you can depend on Anthony J. Madonia & Associates Ltd. We’ve been working with businesses to protect their branding since 1995 and have extensive experience with trademark law. To schedule a consultation or find out more, call us at (312) 578-9300.