Post: #1

Pretty straightforward here; Looking for the process and costs for keeping a logo for a biz of mine.

The name itself is VERY common, however the written or "cursive" style is distinctive.

Any concerns if someone may have used it in the past?

Post: #2

How is the business set up? LLC, sole-proprietorship, etc. If you incorporated under the same name no one can obviously start a business under that name. My buddy and I set up an LLC for a company we started and the name was protected through that. The logo and text however, were not. We looked into getting everything trademarked through Legal Zoom and I believe it was around five hundred bucks. You just submit all your info, business name, logo, and font. We didn't follow through because the business never took off and we didn't want to waste the cash until we thought it would make sense.

My understanding is that if you aren't copying a previously trademarked logo/font/name, you will be fine. Look at a common company name like "apple". Anyone can use the word "apple" in their business if they own an apple stand, apple orchard, or anything else to do with apples. But if you use the Apple font/logo or associate it with technology in any way, then you are infringing on their trademark.

It's hard to tell without knowing your company's name and industry whether or not you have cause for concern. Hopefully somebody with more experience than a couple business law classes and a failed start-up can weigh in. As long as you did your research and didn't copy anyone's patent, trademark, or other intellectual property, I would assume it'd go through smoothly.

Post: #3

I havn't done this but have looked into it, it's pretty straightforward to do straight forward through US Patent office however if you need it made simpler trademarkia and trademarkplus among others are sort of like legal zoom for patents, heck you may even be able to use legal zoom.

It sounds like you know the basics as far as attaching a font or logo to your name, I believe you also need to specify what your patent will protect ie coffee mugs and kitchen wear, or music or clothing, etc.

Post: #4

You can do it easily through the uspto website for $325.

Uspto also allows you to run a search for similar trademarks - their search engine is complex but you can learn the ins and outs in about an hour googling online.

Post: #5

Thanks for the info guys.

The name itself is my last name, which is VERY common, so I'm not terribly concerned about that end of it. Just the unique style of the logo itself.

I didn't think it should be too difficult and it appears it is not.

Post: #6

I've done it several times and you have to keep in mind it only has a limited life span before a renewal has to be put through. The last time it cost me $300.00

Post: #7

(10-13-2015 03:30 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  I've done it several times and you have to keep in mind it only has a limited life span before a renewal has to be put through. The last time it cost me $300.00

How often must it be renewed? I've been finding info all over the place, some say between the 5th and 6th year and every 10 years there after. I see other sources saying first time at year 8 and every 10 years there after.

Post: #8

It depends. I think it had to be done the first time after three years and then ten. I had a problem at the ten year mark because the patent office wants to see "proof of use". In other words, they want to know you're really selling something.

Post: #9

USPTO do-it-yourself. Easy-peasy.