#Should you copyright your logo how to#

So, while the process takes a bit of time and money upfront, it’s worth it for the right to defend your intellectual property under the law. The copyright office listing serves as undisputed proof that you came up with the name first. If someone does use your copyrighted name without permission, having that official government registration gives you the legal standing to take them to court.

If you ever want to franchise or sell your business, this can pay off. Securing a copyright establishes you as the sole owner of the brand identity you are creating. In fact, Coca-Cola’s brand alone is worth $59.2 billion! Your business name, logo, tagline, and other branding elements have real monetary value.

The last thing you want is to spend years building name recognition only to have some Johnny-come-lately swoop in with a similar name to piggyback off your branding.Ĭopyrighting your name makes it illegal for others to use an identical or very similar name for commercial purposes without your permission. Here are three key reasons to copyright a name: Prevent Copycats But big brands like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Apple have all faced trademark infringement lawsuits from companies trying to profit off their famous names.Īnd while your business may not be a multi-billion dollar brand (yet!), you still need to protect your intellectual property. You may be wondering if it’s worth the time and effort to copyright a name.Īfter all, it’s not like people are lining up to steal “Bob’s Plumbing” or “Susie’s Cupcakes”.

#Should you copyright your logo how to#

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know on how to copyright a name, from coming up with name ideas to officially registering your copyright. However, navigating the copyright process can be confusing.

But once you’ve settled on “the one”, how do you make sure no one else can use it?Ĭopyright law allows you to protect original names and prevent others from using them without permission. You want something unique, memorable, and meaningful. Choosing the perfect name for your business, product, or creative work is a big deal.