How to Trademark a Designer Name for Purses
Do you have aspirations to be the next big name in designer purses? While your aspirations are to be applauded, there is a very important business matter that is vital before you "make it big": trademark a designer name for your purses. Doing this now can save you a lot of hassles and headaches in the future.
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Instructions
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Research to find out whether or not the designer name you have selected for your purse line has already been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (see Resources). If the name has already been registered, select a different name for your purse line in order to avoid possible trademark infringement. Perform an Internet search by typing the designer name for your purse line into search engines. If you come across other purse lines or services that use the same name you desire, it would be wise to choose a different name. The reasoning behind this is, if your designer purse line becomes a huge success, another company can argue that they had the name first. If they win the argument, you will have to change your designer name, which could negatively impact your business.
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Submit a Federal Trademark Application Form and application fee to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office after you have determined that your designer name for your purse line is unique (see Resources). It will take approximately 6 months to find out whether or not your application is approved. If you submit a trademark form for a name that has already been trademarked by another company, your application will be rejected. Your application fee will not be returned to you, which is another reason you should do your research beforehand to ensure the name is not already taken.
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Start using your designer name after your trademark application has been approved. Put a trademark symbol beside your designer name whenever it is used to indicate that the name is trademarked. This is indicated by the letter "r" placed inside a small circle.
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Tips & Warnings
When in doubt about the legalities of selecting a specific trademark, consult a lawyer or attorney.
