Trademarks are important for businesses for a number of reasons. Trademarks are a way of representing brands, which helps you communicate quickly to others what your business is or does. These helpful communication tools immediately convey information like your company's reputation, services and products.
Trademarks are important because they help customers find you. The brand itself is what someone looks for. For example, Twitter is a platform branded with a blue bird. When you see the logo, you instantly recognize the brand and trademark.
Trademarks have the potential to be very valuable. They're assets, so just like with real estate or other physical items, they can be sold. For instance, if someone buys your business, that person takes over your brand and trademark as well.
It's fairly inexpensive to obtain a trademark for your business. They cost approximately $275 initially. When you renew the trademark, you'll have to pay again every five to 10 years. The good news is that they don't expire so long as you continue to use them in the United States. For example, Pepsi-Cola has been registered since 1896. It's still a popular brand to this day.
Your brand could be anything, but it's important that it represents you and what you want to do with your business. In the future, this brand and trademark will be what people know you as, so making a good decision now is vital. Our site has more information on protecting your company with a trademark and how to go about registering it if you're interested in doing so now.
On behalf of Crockett & Crockett posted on Friday, March 23, 2018.