Orlando, Florida Trademarks Lawyers, and Service Marks Law Firm
A trademark ™ or service mark (SM) is any name, phrase, or design that distinguishes your business from the competition. If you are starting your own business, or launching a startup, one of the most important decisions you’ll make will involve choosing a business name, creating logos, and naming your goods and services. If you are investing money in marketing and promotion, protecting your business name and design is important. While it is important to do your research and read information about trademarks and service marks, it is most advisable to speak to our Orlando Florida trademarks or service marks lawyers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. in Orlando, Florida and consult with our trademarks and service marks lawyer who can help you.
In order to protect your rights to a business name, or logo, it may be in your best interests to register for a trademark or service mark with the state of Florida. Your trademark or service mark might be your business name, the name of your unique products and services, and any other designs or logos associated with your company. Many companies choose to register their trademark or service mark in Florida and at the federal level.
If you are starting a new business and want to protect your business name, consider registering your trademark or service mark with the state of Florida. Business owners should register their trademark and service marks both at the state and federal level. Trademarks and service marks protect your brand name and legal rights. While you might be able to claim ownership of a service mark or trademark through use of the name alone in connection with providing goods and services, registering your trademark or service mark formally protects your rights. Before choosing a business name, it is also important to check to see whether the name has been trademarked. In the process of trademarking or registering your service mark, your lawyer will review government records to make sure there is no business with a similar name. Our Orlando trademark lawyers can also advise you about whether your trademark can be registered. Not all business names and designs can be registered. Registering a trademark or service mark can protect you from litigation in the future stemming from confusion due to your use of a name that is too similar to another brand. If you have questions about trademarks and service marks, speak to our qualified trademarks and service marks lawyers at Legal Counsel, P.A. in Orlando, Florida who today can assist you with registering a trademark or service mark in Florida. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.
Can I Register for a Trademark or Service Mark in Florida?
Before you can successfully register your trademark or service mark in Florida, you’ll need to first check to make sure that a similar business or service provider isn’t already using your trademark or service mark. Service marks and trademarks can only be registered if a similar trademark or service mark doesn’t already exist. The government wants to make sure that there’s no confusion between two businesses offering similar goods and services before it approves your registration. There are many standards and tests that the government will review before approving your trademark or service mark. For example, there should be no other trademark or service mark in the database that is similar in sound, appearance, or meaning to your mark. Your logos should also be distinct and not likely to create confusion with other brands offering similar goods and services. The more inventive or fanciful your trademark or service mark is, the more likely you’ll be able to apply and receive trademark protection. If you have questions about whether your logo, brand, or services can be trademarked or registered, contact Legal Counsel, P.A. and speak to our Florida trademarks and service marks lawyers in Orlando, Florida. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.
The process of filing for a trademark or service mark in Florida can sometimes be complex. Not only must you comply with all legal requirements, but you’ll also want to make sure that your mark isn’t already in use and that it can be registered before you file. If your trademark or service mark application is denied, you won’t receive a refund for the application cost, so it is wise to save time and effort by getting everything right the first time. Our trademarks and service marks lawyers in Orlando, Florida at Legal Counsel, P.A. can review databases to see if your mark may conflict with those already in use by other companies. This can prevent you from facing litigation in the future and also help you better prepare to submit your application for a trademark or service mark. Most businesses will register with their home state and with federal databases to protect their business name, logos, and services at both the local and national level.
While you are not legally required to register a trademark or service mark, filing formally can give you stronger protections. The government cannot assist you in enforcing your legal rights to a trademark or service mark. While you can purchase a domain name when you begin the process of registering your trademark, it is important to understand that there is a difference between purchasing a web domain and registering a trademark at the federal or local level. Registering a trademark or service mark is a complex process that requires filing an application and submitting all required documentation.
If you have questions about infringement of your trademark or service mark, you may want to speak to our trademark and service marks attorneys in Orlando Florida at Legal Counsel, P.A. today. If you are launching a new startup or new business, before finalizing your business name, speak contact Legal Counsel, P.A. and consult with our Florida trademark and service mark lawyers in Orlando, Florida who can help you protect your rights and file your trademark and service mark in Florida and can also assist you with registering your mark federally. The processes are similar, so when applying for your Florida mark, you may want to also apply for federal registration as well. Have questions? We have answers. Contact Legal Counsel, P.A. today at 407-982-4321.
