Trademark Application Overview

A trademark identifies a company's goods or services. It can be a word or phrase, a symbol or design, or a combination of words and designs. While you can establish a trademark simply by using it, it will be easier to protect your trademark if you register it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Bear in mind that trademarks are the only protection your logo and brand have, and trademark application lawyers are the only ones who can successfully prevent them from being misused.

A registered trademark establishes when you claimed ownership of the mark. You can use the mark "TM" to indicate a phrase or design is your trademark without registration, but you cannot use the federal registration symbol ® unless you have a legally registered mark. To register your mark, you must file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.