If you have been following our blog, you probably read last week how Lardiere McNair can help you set up your new business. However, when starting that business, you do not want to forget about protecting your intellectual property. So, what is intellectual property and how does it relate to your new business? Lardiere McNair is here to help answer that question for you and to help you understand the ins and outs of protecting your business’s brand.

The most common form of intellectual property used for a business is a trademark or service mark. These marks are typically the logo for the business or design of the business name. There are multiple classifications for marks depending on the goods or services your business provides, or the design and style of your business logo. Because your business logo is unique to your business’s brand, you want to protect it so that no other business can use a similar mark to sell its goods or services.

The best way to protect your business logo is to register it as a trademark or service mark. This is where Lardiere McNair comes in to help you. Once you have designed your logo and are ready to start your business or are already using the logo for your business, we can help you register your mark. Lardiere McNair can help you decide whether to register as a state or a federal mark, chose the classifications for your mark, and file the application to register. Once your mark is registered, no other person or business will be able to use the same or similar mark as yours.

Lardiere McNair is also here to help you if you would happen to find your business on the other side of this situation. This occurs when you have been using a logo without registration and another business sends you a cease and desist letter. This is called trademark infringement. More information regarding this situation can be found in the following blog post: https://lawyerscolumbusohio.com/simplifying-the-trademark-confusion/.

In addition to protecting your business logo, you may want to consider domain names and business name registrations. Your domain name is in essence your website name. If you have a website for your business, you have a domain name. It is important to maintain that domain name registration, so that your website does not end up belonging to someone else. On the other hand, you may also consider the different business name registrations you want to file for your business. In addition to your actual business name that is associated with your business filing, you can have a trade name. A trade name is similar to a nickname for your business. Trade names can include a word, name, symbol, device or any combination of each to identify the products and services provided by your business.

There are various different aspects to protecting the intellectual property of your newly formed business. Lardiere McNair is here to help answer any questions you have about what kind of protections are best for your business and to help you obtain those protections. We understand the importance of your business brand, and we are here to help you understand how to best protect it. If you have a question about protecting the intellectual property for your newly formed business idea or the business you already have, please give us a call.

Alexandria Nagel is a Law Clerk at Lardiere McNair, LLC.  To read more about our firm, please visit www.lmcounsel.com.

The information presented here has been prepared by Lardiere McNair for promotional and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.  This information is not intended to provide, and receipt of it does not constitute, legal advice.  Nor does the receipt of this material create an attorney/client relationship.  An attorney client relationship is not established until such time as Lardiere McNair enters in to a written engagement agreement with a specific client for a specific legal matter.

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