Important Issues to Consider When Selecting a Trademark.
Posted by Michelle Grenier on Tue, Aug 10, 2010 @ 10:54 AM
Trademark law can be somewhat complicated. It is important that you do it right from the start, to avoid serious consequences later.
1. When selecting the term to use as a trademark and apply for trademark registration consider the following:
(a) The mark set forth on the USPTO Trademark Registration Application must be the mark exactly as you will use it in commerce.
(b) Eventually, you will need to submit a specimen (e.g., brochure, etc.) to the USPTO that will evince your use of the mark in commerce, in association with the goods and/or services set forth in the application. That specimen will need to reflect the mark exactly as set forth on the application (without any other terms immediately abutting the mark).
Thus, if you will use the mark "ABC XYZ Services Boston" and the specimen will reflect "ABC XYZ Services Boston", then the application should be for "ABC XYZ Services Boston" (i.e., a specimen reflecting "ABC XYZ Services Boston" will be unacceptable for an application for "ABC XYZ Services").
Note, for the services application, you may need to disclaim exclusive rights to "Boston" and "Services" because the former describes a geographical location and the latter is "merely descriptive."
2. With regard to the particular name you have selected, e.g., "ABC XYZ Services Boston," consider also the following:
(a) the applicable licensing division that regulates your business, if applicable, may not allow you to use the terms "ABC XYZ" in the name of your business and/or the name of services; and
(b) the USPTO may deem the terms "ABC XYZ " to be merely descriptive.
Trademark law is not as straight-forward as most business people think. If you don't get it right the first time, your application may be refused and that may result in someone else filing an application for the same mark, which may result in you being prohibited from using the mark in your industry. Obtain advice from an experienced trademark attorney as soon as possible, and secure trademark rights for your mark.
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