Protecting Your Food Business Name, Brand or Logo: Basics of Trademark Protection

Do you have a great idea for a business name? Have you created a unique logo that’s sure to draw business? That’s great! But before you go live with your website or start printing flyers, there are some things you need to know about intellectual property laws to keep your ideas protected.

What is intellectual property (IP)? In short, it is the right to benefit from the creations of one’s own mind. IP can include inventions, symbols, names, images, shapes, designs and other artwork. Intellectual property can be protected by patents, copyrights and trademarks.

So how do I protect the IP of my unique brand, name or logo? This is normally protected with a trademark. A trademark is a distinctive sign that identifies a product or service. It can be a word, name, symbol or device, or any combination of those. A trademark is used in commerce to identify and distinguish your goods and services from those of another business and to indicate the source of the goods -- think...

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