11. How to Trademark Your Brand Without a Lawyer

LESSON OVERVIEW:

Why Trademarks Matter

•  TM has no legal meaning.
• ® is a federally registered trademark granted by the USPTO. It’s the only symbol that carries real legal protection. 
• Local businesses (plumbers, salons, coffee shops) generally don’t need federal registration, but a legal owner can sue you anyway. If you sell online or plan to scale, it’s essential.

Three Cautionary Tales

• Donnie’s Green Planet Lawn Care: 
• The Grange Public House:
• Nann Miller Enterprises: 

Key Insight: Your rights don’t matter if you can’t afford a legal fight. A $350 registration is cheap insurance.

The Spectrum of Trademarkability

Where your name falls on the spectrum determines whether your name can be trademarked, lives in the gray area, or is not trademarkable.

Learn whether your name can be trademarked, where it lies on the spectrum, and how to strengthen your likelihood of success with the USPTO.

The Step-by-Step Process

Lesson 11 takes you through the entire DIY process so you can avoid an expensive lawyer.

• Step 1 — Search.
• Step 2 — Description.
• Step 3 — Specimen.
• Step 4 — File.

Buy Now

BUY Chapter 11 as a single lesson for $18.00. 

Buy the Secure My Name Bundle for $28.00

The bundle includes:

09. The Name Game - How to Secure the Perfect Name

• • Video
  • Text Lesson
  • Downloadable PDF

11. How to Trademark Your Brand Without a Lawyer

• • Video
  • Text Lesson
  • Downloadable PDF