Trademark Guide Hub
A federal trademark protects a brand name, logo, or slogan and is registered through the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This hub links every LegalGlass trademark guide - how to register a name, business name, or logo, what it costs, and how a trademark differs from a copyright or patent.
Trademark law can be confusing because it overlaps with copyright and patent protection and because many vendors sell filing help you may not need. The guides below explain the process in plain language, sourced from USPTO pages, the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, and the Lanham Act. If you are choosing between forms of protection, start with trademark vs copyright; if you are ready to file, start with how to trademark a name.
Trademark Quick Facts
- Who registers it
- The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- What it protects
- Brand names, logos, and slogans that identify a source
- Not the same as
- Copyright (creative works) or a patent (inventions)
- The TM symbol
- Can be used without registration; ® requires federal registration
- Where to file
- The USPTO Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS)
Guides in This Hub
- Trademark vs Copyright
Which protection fits a brand name versus a creative work.
- How to Trademark a Name
The USPTO steps to search, apply, and register a name.
- How to Trademark a Business Name
Registering a company name as a federal trademark.
- How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name?
Current USPTO filing fees, per class, effective-year stamped.
- What Does TM Mean?
The TM, SM, and ® symbols and when you may use each.
- Patent vs Trademark
How protecting an invention differs from protecting a brand.
- Do I Need to Trademark My Business Name?
When federal registration is worth it and when it is not.
- How to Trademark a Logo
Filing a design mark for a logo with the USPTO.
Related Hubs
Protecting a name is one stage of building a business. See the EIN hub for your federal tax ID, the business-tax hub for filing, and the glossary for definitions such as DBA and S-corp. For choosing a business name at formation, see what is a DBA and how to form an LLC.
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the USPTO before acting.