How to Trademark a Logo?

Your logo is your brand on the internet, products and adverts. However, when another person publishes the same, your customers will be confused. In order to prevent that, you will have to provide a trademark for your logo. The process of trademarking a logo implies that you will obtain rights to use your logo and no other participant/competitor (in your sphere of activity) will be able to use a logo of similar character.

Here’s a clear step-by-step guide on how to trademark a logo properly. We will discuss the reason why it is important, how it is done specifically, how much all of it costs, what useful tools are needed, and what to do once you are cleared. If you also need to protect your business name, then view our  How to Trademark a Business Name guide.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Trademark and Why It’s Important
2. Five Easy Steps to Trademark Your Logo
3. How Much It Costs
4. Tools to Help You Trademark
5. After You Get Approved
6. Key Points to Remember

1. What Is a Trademark and Why It’s Important

Protecting your brand, a trademark logo will grant you the legal privilege to your design so that no one can use one too close.

A sign or a symbol that informs people that your brand is unique is called a trademark. While you are trademarking a logo, you file it in some government office (such as the USPTO in the U.S.). This means that the logo is yours in your line of business.

Why trademark your logo?

Trademarking of your logo entitles you to be a property holder in your industry. It prevents others from copying or utilizing your design. It enhances the level of credibility of your brand in the minds of your customers since they perceive you as dependable. It also has added value when you intend to sell or expand your business. Without a trademark, anyone can copy your logo, leading to customer confusion and brand damage.

When you do not have a trademark, any person can use or copy your logo, and this may damage your brand.

2. Five Easy Steps to Trademark Your Logo

Follow these steps to complete your logo trademark registration:

Step 1: Check That Your Logo Is Unique

Use the official databases to make sure no one else has a similar logo:

• In the U.S., search the USPTO Trademark Database.
• For international checks, use the WIPO Global Brand Database.
• For other countries, check your local trademark office site.

Tip: If you haven’t made your logo yet, try a tool like Zoviz Logo Maker to design something unique.

Step 2: Finalize Your Logo Design

Once you have been approved to trademark a logo, you are not allowed to modify your logo without having to reapply. This is the reason why you have to be cross-eyed on every detail before you submit. Avoid using stock images or clip art. They are not special. Zoviz Logo Maker provides you with an AI Logo Generator that can help you develop your unique professional logo and store it in the required number of files.

Required pre-planning:

• Quality colour image file PNG or JPEG
• Black and white version available to be used widely
• Precise font names and colour codes that you wish to adopt

Step 3: File the Application

This is where you now file your logo trademark registration, i.e., you submit your final design along with the duly filled application form and the filing fee for the right amount to the trademark office of your country.

Select the right office and shape:

• U.S.: Go to the USPTO.gov and select between TEAS Plus at 250 per class and TEAS Standard at 350 per class
• UK: Visit UKIPO and pay 170 pounds in the first, 50 pounds in each additional one
• India: To file in India through IP India costs you 4500 rupees when you are an individual and 9000 rupees when you are a company.

The following is needed:

• Your address or business address and name
• The trademark you desire to have on the logo file
• The types of products or services that you sell (these are termed as classes)

When you intend to register your logo in more than one country, you can file an international application through the Madrid Protocol.

Step 4: Pay the Fees

Putting the word that is your logo on record will cost you some money; it varies depending on where you are registering and the number of product or service categories you are getting listed on. A class is just a category, such as clothing or software, so you should not pay for all the classes, just the classes required.

Country by fees:

• United States: $250 to $350 per class
• United Kingdom: £170 for the first class, £50 for each additional class
• Canada: CAD 330 per class
• India: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, ₹9,000 per class for companies

Decide your key categories now, and expand these later as per the growth in business.

Step 5: Wait for Approval and Monitor

Once you process it, the Office of Trademarks will scan your logo. This process of review may last between 6 and 12 months. In that period:

• It may entail an inquiry about additional information; respond fast to keep the process in motion.
• As soon as your logo is approved, you will receive an official certificate and will be able to apply the symbol.

Once you are registered:

• The extreme case is when you forget to renew your trademark and your protection expires. It can happen after 10 years because this is the term of renewability.
• Watch out for people who might be trying to imitate your logo, and do something about it should the need arise.

3. How Much It Costs

Use the Madrid Protocol to secure trademark protection in multiple countries with a single application.

4. Tools to Help You Trademark

These are some of the easy-to-use tools that you can employ in the trademark process:

• USPTO TESS
  It is the United States' official trademark database. You enter your logo or name and check whether there have been any other registrations previously.
• WIPO Global Brand Database
  To search trademarks in many countries, including around the world, this free service of the World Intellectual Property Organization will enable you to search the marks in dozens of countries just in one place.
• Trademarkia
  An amicable site that displays whether or not your logo is open. You will also be able to start your application there and check the prices.
• LegalZoom
  And if paperwork is your concern, LegalZoom takes you through the whole process of application in easy steps. They do the filing on your behalf.
• IPWatchdog
  It is a blog and a newsletter that provides easy-to-understand articles on trademark rules, tips, and news so as not to be left behind.

5. After You Get Approved

Once you have registered your logo, there are some steps that you can engage in on a regular basis to maintain the life and enforceability of the trademark:

• Use the ® symbol next to your logo.
• Regularly check for any unauthorized use.
• Renew your trademark on time (every 10 years).
• File required reports, like a “declaration of use” if needed.

These are all the basic steps which will make your logo and brand as secure as possible.

6. Key Points to Remember

It is important to protect your brand by protecting your logo. Here is how to ensure that your logo is legally owned.

• With a trademark, you have the freedom to use your own logo.
• Check previous trademarks first, always.
• Complete your logo and then apply.
• Online file and pay the appropriate fee for your category.
• Renew and keep your trademark current