Why is a Registered Trademark Important to Your Amazon Business?

Every day, around 2,000 new sellers join Amazon, creating a marketplace that is hugely saturated. Even so, there is no sign of this growth slowing down anytime in the near future. While such rapid growth can be good for your business, it also highlights the need to protect your brand. Working with an Amazon IP lawyer can make all the difference in ensuring your business receives the protection it needs. 

Trademark Defined

A trademark is a type of intellectual property (IP) that is used to distinctly differentiate one brand from another. It may be an image, symbol, or other unique mark. According to the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), a trademark is used for goods, and serves three distinct purposes:

• A trademark identifies the source of your goods or services
• A trademark provides legal protection for your brand
• A trademark helps you guard against counterfeiting and fraud

The more unique and creative a trademark, the easier it can be to protect.

Why Should You Register Your Trademark? Our Amazon IP Lawyer Explains

There are many different reasons you should register your trademark, including:

• A registered trademark lends credence to your business. It informs customers and competitors that you are running a valid company.
• A registered trademark gives you the ability to list the trademark in the USPTO’s database.
• A registered trademark allows you to reap the benefits of protection from hijackers.
• A trademark registered in the United States can be used as the basis for obtaining a registration in other countries.
• A unique and creative registered trademark makes a business stand out from the competition. It stays in a customer’s mind, and when that customer looks for your presence online, the registered trademark will help them find you.
• A registered trademark provides you access to great tools like Amazon Brand Registry and Enhanced Brand Content. 
• A registered trademark provides more protection and broader, nationwide rights, than a trademark that is not registered.
• A registered trademark provides you with a legal presumption that you own the trademark and have the exclusive right to its use nationwide in connection with the goods and services listed in the registration. 
• A registered trademark provides you with the ability to bring a federal action regarding the trademark.
• A registered trademark places the public on notice that you own the trademark. 
• A registered trademark is more than a way to protect your business as the trademark itself may be considered a valuable asset. By registering it, you are protecting the value the trademark accumulates as your business grows and prospers. 
• Should you ever decide to sell your business, a registered trademark is a commodity that can be sold the same as any other asset. Businesses with registered trademarks are typically able to bring more value than businesses without one. 

Trademark Registration Process

Registering a trademark may be daunting for anyone new to the process. This is why it is important to have an Amazon IP lawyer help guide you through the steps. After all, you want to be certain that once the process is completed, your business has the appropriate protections. 

After selecting a mark, you need to determine that it is able to be registered and protected in the USPTO. Then you will need to evaluate the ability of your brand to expand into other categories. By doing so, you will have the freedom to add products to your product line in the future with no re-branding required. A search is then required to ensure that your proposed trademark does not infringe on the rights of any third parties. Finally, it is time to prepare and file the application with the USPTO. Remember, having an Amazon IP lawyer assist with this process is extremely beneficial to you and your business. 

Learn More About Possible Trademarks From an Amazon IP Lawyer at ESQgo 

If you are contemplating pursuing a trademark to protect your business, you need to speak with an Amazon IP lawyer that can explain all your options to you. At ESQgo, our firm focuses our practice on matters involving intellectual property, and we are here to help. You may reach us via our contact page.