In this second part of a two-part series, you will learn what items to consider before you register a trademark for your logo, brand name or business name, and why you might want to hire an attorney to help you. Before you apply for federal registration, be aware that not everything can be registered as a trademark. Here is the link to part one of this series. Some Things to Be Aware of Before Submitting Your Application to register a trademark The mark in your application must not be easily confused with another already registered mark on two different counts: 1) the marks…
After reading about another local trademark infringement case, I thought I would provide basic facts and information on how to trademark a logo, brand name or business name. So I listened to a presentation by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and have posted my notes below. But first, here’s a little background on the local case. In November 2015 Jerry Cunningham, the owner of Q Publishing, the parent company of a 40-year-old magazine, OUT FRONT, filed suit against Outfront Media, Inc., a billboard company. The name and the logos look very similar. Although OUT FRONT magazine has been using…
A good logo should be distinctive, unique and memorable. It should capture the essence of a business or organization with appropriate imagery, colors and typography. A designer should NEVER try to mimic or copy another existing logo; it is a BAD idea and may lead to logo trademark infringement ! An organization’s logo is an essential part of their brand, and the trademark owner should—and will—go to great lengths to protect any infringement on their brand. On April 23, 2015 the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce sued the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce for trademark infringement on their logo. In the Denver Business…