My Amazon Guy Trademarks: How to File and Pick a Brand Name for Amazon #16
Why do you need a registered trademark on Amazon? Get a Trademark today with My Amazon Guy.
- Accurate brand representation
- Powerful search and report tools
- Ability to remove listings using your brand name
- Brand-building benefits such as Enhanced Brand Content
Do You Need a Trademark?
YES. Every brand selling their products online needs a trademark. A trademark protects your products and your brand. It means you are the legal owner of your brand, and only those who have your permission can use your brand name or logo. Without it, you have no recourse to another person or company ripping off your stuff. If you spend time and money investing in a new idea and don’t get a trademark or patent in place, someone can start selling your exact product and piggy back off your success.
How Does a Trademark Help me on Amazon?
Having a registered trademark allows you to sign up for brand registry on Amazon. Brand registry gives you access to exclusive tools and benefits, giving your products a competitive edge. With Amazon brand registry, you can:
- Have more control over Amazon product pages that use your brand name
- Use exclusive search tools to find possible brand infringement cases
- Remove listings that incorrectly use your trademarked terms or logos
- Strengthen your product listings with Enhanced Brand Content and Storefronts
Trademarks give you legal claim over your brand names, slogans, and logos. Trademarks are for protecting brand identity; they do not protect inventions or original works such as art or music. Trademarks give you nationwide protection for your brand. Other sellers will not be able to use your trademarked brand name or logo to sell products, unless it’s with your permission.
SHOULD I TRADEMARK BOTH MY BRAND NAME AND LOGO?
Some companies use both a distinctive brand name and logo, so they decide to trademark both. This can be advantageous for certain brands, but both the brand name and the logo would require separate filing, which means double the fees. For this reason, many companies feel that filing a trademark for just their company name provides enough protection.
HOW LONG DOES A TRADEMARK LAST?
Trademarks can last indefinitely as long as you continue to use the mark in commerce. A statement of use needs to be filed 5 years after the registration of your trademark.
WHY DO YOU CONDUCT A TRADEMARK SEARCH?
We run a direct-hit trademark search to make sure that your trademark is not already in use. This saves you the money and trouble of filing and being rejected for “likelihood of confusion”, meaning that your mark is too similar or even identical to an existing trademark. Please be aware that our trademark search is a direct-hit search, and not a comprehensive search.
HOW LONG DOES TRADEMARK REGISTRATION TAKE?
It can take 6-9 months before your trademark is officially registered. You should receive your initial response from the USPTO within 3 months. You can speed up the process by making sure your application is accurate and responding promptly to any office actions sent to you by the USPTO.