5 Steps to Protect Your Brand Trademark

Registering your trademark is just the first step to protecting your brand. After being granted registration you must still:

1. Monitor New Trademark Applications

It’s your responsibility to monitor trademark registrations that might conflict with your registered mark. An intellectual property attorney or trademark monitoring services can help this process.

2. Monitor Unregistered Infringements

Search online for any unregistered trademark conflicts.

3. Create Brand Guidelines

So that others do not compromise your registration rights, create brand identity guidelines that explain exactly how the tangible elements of your brand should be used. Provide and educate your employees, business partners, and all of the businesses and vendors in your supply chain the guidelines and how they can use your trademarks and other brand elements.

4. Develop a Domain Name Strategy

Review your domain and any new extensions that may include or be similar to your domain name.

5. Maintain Your Trademark Registration

Remember that registration of your mark is limited to time and then you MUST file maintenance documents. If you don’t file the right documents at the right times, your trademark will be canceled.