4 Reasons To Trademark Your Small Business

Should you trademark your new small business? In short — absolutely. A trademark is essential whether the company is new or old, large or small. Learn why it's so critical if you want to be successful.

1. Similar Practices or Products

If your business closely mimics the practices or product or service options of another company, it is a good idea to file a trademark. A trademark is a way to legally separate your business activities from the competition because it solidifies that while your business might closely resemble another company, it is, in fact, its own entity operating with an original idea. If you don't have a trademark and another business sees you as a competitor, you could face a trademark infringement suit. A trademark can provide a certification that your business is original. 

2. International Markets

Given the widespread reach of technology, small business owners can take their business from a domestic operation to an international operation quite easily. If you dream of making this transition in the future, you should trademark today. A unique feature about the U.S. issued trademarks is that you can use the registration to automatically register your trademark in another country, which can save you a great deal of paperwork. A trademark today can make your transition much more manageable. 

3. Legal Grounds

You have probably taken years to come up with your business idea. For this reason, you would be devastated if another business owner tried to come behind you and take your idea, and any dreams of success you might have had. When you don't have your business trademarked, you legally don't have the grounds to sue another company for infringement. However, with your own trademark, you do have the legal grounds to file suit against another company who has stolen your idea. 

4. Professional Presence

Small businesses often have to prove themselves to consumers. The average person is not always comfortable giving their private or financial information to a company whom they don't believe is trustworthy. Given the legal significance of a trademark, this type of status attached to your business shows hesitant consumers that you are trustworthy and professional. As your company grows, this level of professionalism can make reluctant customers more comfortable with doing business with you. 

Don't let another business come along and steal your idea or operation from you. Speak with an intellectual property lawyer who can help you safeguard your small business. 


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