Can i trademark a common phrase [Pictures]

Last updated : Aug 26, 2022

Current : 1048

Can you trademark a phrase or saying?

To trademark a phrase locally, you must already be using the phrase publicly. You can apply for a nationwide trademark with the USPTO. With the USPTO you can apply with the "intent to use." Phrases eligible for trademark registration include catch phrases, taglines, slogans, and mottos.

What words Cannot be trademarked?

Proper names or likenesses without consent from the person.
Generic terms, phrases, or the like.
Government symbols or insignia.
Vulgar or disparaging words or phrases.
The likeness of a U.S. President, former or current.
Immoral, deceptive, or scandalous words or symbols.
Sounds or short motifs.

Can you copyright a phrase or word?

You cannot obtain a copyright registration for one word. Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. A copyright only exists for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. A copyright protects literary, musical, artistic, and dramatic works.

How do you know if a word or phrase is already trademarked?

Before you apply, you should search the USPTO's trademark database (Trademark Electronic Search System, or TESS) to see if any trademark has already been registered or applied for that is: Similar to your trademark. Used on related products or for related services, and.

Can you trademark a phrase on a T shirt?

Yes, you can trademark a t-shirt. You can trademark a name, logo, or slogan that appears on your t-shirts. You may register a trademark for any materials that identify and promote your particular goods and services. This information was provided by our founding attorney, Xavier Morales, Esq.

How do you legally own a phrase?

Choose an Original and Distinct Phrase.
Search the USPTO Database for Your Phrase.
Select the Appropriate Filing-Basis for the Trademark Application.
Select the Appropriate Class of Goods/Services and Description of the Goods/Services.
Pay the Appropriate Gov.

Can you trademark a simple word?

Common words and phrases can be trademarked if the person or company seeking the trademark can demonstrate that the phrase has acquired a distinctive secondary meaning apart from its original meaning. That secondary meaning must be one that identifies the phrase with a particular good or service.

What is not protected by trademark?

Generic terms are not protected by trademark because they refer to a general class of products rather than indicating a unique source.

How much does it cost to trademark a word?

The basic cost to trademark a business name ranges from $225 to $600 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest and least expensive way to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

Should I trademark or copyright a phrase?

A phrase should be trademarked, not copyrighted. Registering a trademark with the USPTO is simple and not very time-consuming but can take time to approve. If you hope to enforce your ownership over a specific trademark, you'll want to get it registered before it's too late.

Can you patent a phrase?

While you can learn how to patent an idea here, unfortunately, it is not possible to patent a phrase. Instead, you can trademark a phrase by registering it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

What happens if a word is trademarked?

The law allows you to use a trademark without getting the owner's permission for: Informational use: You use it to editorialize or educate about a specific product or service. Comparison use: You use it as part of an accurate comparison between products or services.

How do you brand a saying?

Go to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website.
Check the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) database. Make sure the slogan isn't already registered in the same category.
Submit your trademark application. Pay the filing fee.

How do I protect a slogan?

If you decide you want to protect your slogan or catchphrase as intellectual property, you will need to apply for a trademark. This application is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It is completed either electronically or via a paper application.

Can you copyright your quote?

Short phrases, quotes, terms and sayings generally cannot be protected by copyright. Instead, short phrases, quotes, terms and sayings should be protected by trademark.

Can two companies have the same slogan?

Just because a company has trademark rights, those rights do not absolutely prohibit anyone else from using the same name, logo, or tagline. A business owner can prevent others from using her trademark only if the other use is confusing.

Are sayings copyrighted?

Names, titles, short phrases, slogans and sayings cannot be protected with the United States Copyright Office. Copyright protection only extends to original artistic works fixed in a tangible medium such as literature, music and motion pictures.

What type of things can be trademarked?

A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies your goods or services. It's how customers recognize you in the marketplace and distinguish you from your competitors.

How long is a trademark good for?

A federal trademark lasts 10 years from the date of registration, with 10-year renewal terms. Between the fifth and sixth year after the registration date, the registrant must file an affidavit to state that the mark is still in use.

What are the 3 types of trademarks?

What you'll learn: Arbitrary and Fanciful Trademarks. Suggestive Trademarks. Descriptive Trademarks.

Did you find this article relevant to what you were looking for? Yes No

Write a comment

Comment by Torri Helmig

foreign

Thanks for your comment Torri Helmig, have a nice day.
- Kelli Mccollam, Staff Member

Comment by antoninf

hi everybody trademark attorney Josh gurbin and I'd like to talk to you about how to trademark a phrase now commonly clients will come to us when they need to protect a phrase especially if it's a slogan for their business product or service so to get protection on a phrase as a trademark it's really like any other trademark there's certain things you need to do from a best-practice standpoint to ensure your application has the best chance of success with the United States Patent and Trademark Office so when you're going to trademark a phrase the very first thing you need to do is a really good trademark search there are a lot of other trademarks yet filed every single day and have already been registered in the past we need to make sure that the phrase you would like to protect and trademark has not already been taken and most importantly that there's not something similar to your phrase out there that could cause a problem now I know a lot of folks can go online into a search on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website for your phrase and not see anything and think that the phrase is clear to use and register however the search you can do online doesn't look for similar phrases or slightly different phrases that might be considered too similar to yours to get registered so ultimately if you file an application you could get a refusal or worse yet you might get a cease and desist letter from another party so getting an initial trademark search done preferably by an attorney who's going to use a very good software is your first step here at our law firm we use a program called core search which is one of the top trademark search software's available in the world to do your trademark search we also have experience searchers that have been doing this for more than a decade that understand how to take a part of phrase and look at it to ensure there's nothing too similar out there already now once you've done the trademark search the next step is to file the trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office a trademark application that's filed for a phrase with the USPTO is just the same as if you are filing a word or logo it's the same application so typically in the trademark application for a phrase you need to identify the owner of the trademark this could be you personally or a corporation we need give the trademark office the exact phrase you'd like to register and we need to tell the trademark office what goods or services you'll use in connection with the phrase once you submit that trademark application it'll take four months for the government to review it and come back to you with initial feedback if everything looks good the application then progresses to a 30-day period of opposition when any member of the public or other party could challenge your application on grounds they feel they could be damaged if it proceeds if you don't receive any opposition's the trademark application will register at that point in time and you'll receive a registration certificate in the mail so there you have it if you want to register a phrase as a trademark remember you've got to do a really good trademark search then you file a trademark application and go through a months-long sometimes your long process with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to get your registration issue I hope you found this helpful and if you have any further questions about your trademark phrase please feel free to get in touch

Thanks antoninf your participation is very much appreciated
- Kelli Mccollam

About the author

Kelli Mccollam

I've studied mathematical system theory at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach and I am an expert in sociology of the internet. I usually feel lazy. My previous job was political scientist I held this position for 10 years, I love talking about martial arts and martial arts. Huge fan of Kid Rock I practice american football and collect fossils.

All you ever wanted to know

about "Can i trademark a common phrase".

Try Not to laugh !

Joke resides here...