If you’re building a brand and investing in advertising, hoping that customers can find you, you’ll want to protect your business name properly so no one else can use it.
Most of the time new business owners are confused between the difference of registering their business name or getting a business license vs registering a trademark.
Registering a company entails setting up a legal entity which is licensed to do business. The company can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation. Such a registration is needed for license and for tax purposes. More information on Company types?
Registering a business is a legal obligation, so a startup or an entrepreneur can have a trade license for the business but not necessarily own a trademark.
Registering a trademark on the other hand entails protecting the name, words, logo, colors or symbols which are used to identify the source of the goods and services.
Therefore, if you plan on investing in marketing and advertising for customers to recognize your name nationally or internationally then it is best if you protect your name as a trademark – through a trademark registration.
A trademark is a distinctive word, phrase, symbol or design that identifies the source of a product or service and distinguishes from others.
Registering a trademark is a choice you make to empower your brand.
The owner of a trademark has exclusive rights on the trademark and can prevent anyone from using it in the country it is registered.
In conclusion, a trade license is necessary and required for doing business, but a trademark is an investment made to capitalize on branding efforts and ensure brand awareness is optimum.
Contact Us