If you rely on a blog to stay connected with readers and generate income each month, then it's important you are taking the steps necessary to protect your intellectual property from being used without your permission. Registering your blog name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office allows you to prevent others from creating a blog or selling products utilizing the name you are attempting to establish.
Here are three tips that you can use to help trademark your blog name in the future.
1. Track the dates of use.
Taking the time to determine exactly when you began using your blog's name publicly can be beneficial when it comes to filing your trademark application. You will be asked to provide a basis for your application, and this basis includes the dates of use for the name you are using.
Being able to provide the individual reviewing your application with a definite date allows any other applications attempting to trademark the same blog name to be denied if your date-of-use came first.
2. Register only the words, not an image.
For many bloggers, the name of their blog becomes a brand in and of itself. This is because bloggers often use stylized lettering for their blog name.
Although it is possible to register for a trademark of the stylized version of your blog name, you should opt for a trademark that is free from any lettering restrictions. This will give you the freedom to alter the lettering in the future while still enjoying the protection a trademark can provide.
3. Gather the necessary documentation.
You will be asked to provide several types of documentation along with your trademark application. One form of documentation that plays an important role in determining the success of your application is the specimen. The specimen is simply a document that shows your use of the blog name in commerce.
Taking a high-quality screenshot of your blog's homepage (including the blog name and URL) will usually fulfill the specimen requirement. You may also be asked to provide proof of your citizenship and any business licenses or articles of incorporation that pertain to your blog.
Filing for a trademark is a simple and effective way to protect your intellectual property. Don't let your blog name get hijacked—make the choice to protect your blog's identity by submitting an application to trademark your blog name in the near future.
Share12 July 2017
My name is Noni. When I was in college, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. My life was never in danger, but I did break a few bones and had a lot of huge medical bills. I was hoping I wouldn't have to get involved with an attorney, but unfortunately, it came down to that. I used a family friend who is an accident attorney to get some compensation. A few years later, I was hit while riding my bike and had to go through the same process. I suppose I'm lucky to be alive. And it's thanks to accident attorneys that I have been able to put my life back together. I started this blog as a way to let others know just how much lawyers can help you in certain situations.