2. +
You do NOT Have to Hire an
Attorney to Trademark
Go to www.uspto.gov
Click on the “Trademarks” menu item,
Click on the links under “First-Time Filers, Start
Here”.
The videos are great, HOWEVER, they are not a
“walk-through”.
HINT: For step by step instructions including a walk
through, workbook, tax strategy, sample royalty
agreement and more go to www.AccountLinks.BIZ
and sign up for portal access.
3. +
Trademarks Can Lead to Tax and
Estate Planning Benefits
Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs do not
trademark and even fewer define the
ownership optimally.
HINT: Own the trademark as an individual
and lease it back to your business
through a “Royalty Agreement”.
4. +
One Trademark Does NOT Protect
You in All Industries
Having a trademark for your business name
in the “trucking” class code does not
automatically protect you from someone else
using that same name for their brand selling
“t-shirts”.
HINT: You may want to get the trademark for
your particular industry and then a
trademark in class code “025” which is for
shirts.
5. +
“Unique and Fanciful” is Key in
Trademarking
If the business name is “Best Plumbing” and
the business is “plumbing services” it will be
difficult, if not impossible, to trademark. ALSO,
avoid words too closely related to other
businesses.
HINTS: Find words that are descriptive but
cleverly unique such as: “Foster the American
Dream” (real estate agent whose last name is
“Foster”). Do not use stock graphics for logos
and instead get a custom logo made for you.
6. +
A Trademark on a Business Name is
also Called a “Wordmark”
On a sound, such as your jingle, it is
called a “Soundmark”. Wordmarking,
Soundmarking, etc commonly are
referred to as “trademarking”.
HINT: You might consider “Wordmarking”
your domain name (URL), business name,
motto, slogan and, of course,
trademarking your logo.