Do's and Dont's of Trademarking Your Brand

It is very intimidating when alone starting a business venture. And the next frightening step is to apply for a trademark on your company name. Most people avoid the latter or even the former because of a lack of self-confidence. But when considering trademarking your brand, there is nothing in the way besides fear of the unknown. This fear mostly consumes us with questions such as, where to start? How to start? When to start?

Therefore, if you have come this far to start your brand, you must then take another step forward and get involved in brand trademarking. So, what exactly is trademarking?

To trademark your brand means to legalize your brand under rightful authorities and hold full rights over your products. Getting legal control grants you full ownership of your brand, including its name, motto, symbol, or any icon.

So, if you’re looking to grant protection to your brand and your mind has often drifted to the question, “how to trademark a brand?” then this will provide you tips to trademark your brand with authenticity.

Trademark Dos:

1. Brainstorm a unique name

Possibly, multiple brands are working in the same niche as you. For example, you could be a baker or a pastry chef, and at the same, there are multiple other people engaged in related businesses. Therefore, be more thoughtful on how you would like to represent your brand.

A few pointers to keep in mind to enable is to recognize what your products are and how to describe your products to someone else. Moreover, when describing, you should give your product a unique spin, in a way that catches the eye but also delivers the point straight away, such as WhatsApp.

2. Make sure it's attention grabbing

In continuation of the point above – normally, applying a trademark insinuates that the brand name immediately grabs attention. Hence, it is a valuable idea that the name is not a nonexclusive word, commonly used to brand companies in the same niche. Again, the perfect example of this would be – WhatsApp.

3. Check if it's available

Before you get your brand registered and move forward with your plans, it is crucial that you first check that the name, logo, or anything related to your company you have picked out - against all other companies of the same niche. Before the legalities apply, running through the existing database will ensure that your idea for your company is already not taken by someone else.

4. Find the key trademark classes

At times, brands do not just cater to one market. There is a possibility that they cater to more than one market at the same time. For instance, a company involved in education via the provision of resources; is simultaneously contributing to the education and the media industry by effectively using media to advertise and spread their content.

In such cases, you must be aware that your brand receives protection from all ends of the markets and not just one - this happens by trademarking your brand in all key markets.

5. Secure domains and social media handles

Earlier to getting your brand name trademarked, you must certify that all social media accounts and website domain names of the company are secured. This tip is one of the many essential business tips that need to be followed by everyone.

6. Monitor your trademarks

Brand monitoring is often a forgotten point, but it holds just as much weight as all others. Monitoring a brand translates to having solutions to protect your brand and implementing proper brand rights. However, this is a point that should implement, once the process of trademarking finishes.

Trademark Don’ts:    

1. Avoid generic names

When deciding the name of your brand, you must guarantee that it is not generic or vague.

When considering the basicity of the name, it implies that it should not be too direct that it signifies a lack of creativity. An example would be to imagine if WhatsApp is called 'message.' The word 'message' does deliver the function of the application, but at the same time, it is quite uninteresting and bland.

When considering the vagueness of the name - it implies that in an attempt to be unique, sometimes it can become an honest mistake to make the title too much 'on the surface.' This makes the brand name less impactful and powerful for customers and clients.

2. Avoid complicated names

Oftentimes, the name can become so complicated and flowery that it fails to deliver its main purpose, which is to immediately and directly educate people on what the brand is. Therefore, to avoid such events, be extra careful and mindful of the public perspective when trademarking your company.

3. Don't be complacent

It would only be best for you and your company’s future if the process of naming is not taken lightly. Henceforth, be thorough in going through the database to find a logo or name that is already not taken.

Avoid being lazy in this matter because if your name or symbol is even slightly similar to another company, this could greatly cost your company’s future inflow of clients and customers.

In addition to that, from the perspective of the public’s eye, having an alikeness with other companies may confuse them to believe that your brand is someone else’s. In that case, this may cause your customers to not purchase from you, thereby having a massive influence on your popularity and growth in the upcoming period.

4. Avoid delaying the trademark application

Do not procrastinate the process of getting your brand trademarked because it is probable that by the time you get your brand name registered, somebody else has already taken your logo, symbol, or brand name. Moreover, applying for protection as soon as possible will safeguard that other rivals in the same niche of business do not adopt similar trademarks.

5. Don't forget to manage your trademarks

Do not think that once your brand is trademarked, your job here has come to an end. Like all subscriptions, there are updates constantly being made to existing policies and algorithms. Similarly, your trademark has to be updated now and then too to comply with the newly found policy. Furthermore, allowing your brand to grow and expand. New applications are always available; therefore, be on the lookout for those.

These were some brand registration tips. At first, this may seem like an overwhelming and tedious task, but do not let it scare you away. Everybody's brand is a unique work of their art and creativity; hence, it deserves to be recognized and given attention to. At the same time, it must be secured and defended from any negative attention. It is for this very reason; brand trademarking is highly recommended.

Protect your brand today!

Contact a trademark adviser