Mr. Boxy
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Trademarks can include names, slogans, designs, colors, sounds, and even tastes.
Businesses are identified by the government using a trade name, but this is different from a trademark:
There are a few things that cannot be registered as a trademark:
Anything suggesting government endorsement
Government-owned elements (state seals, names, etc.)
Elements already used by a business
Illegal or offensive material
Trademarks can be registered or unregistered. An unregistered trademark or service mark is denoted by a TM and SM. This shows you are using this specific name, but its use can be challenged in court under certain circumstances. A registered trademark is denoted by an R in a circle. This is officially registered with the government, guaranteeing that no other company may use it. Even if you are technically using a service mark, a name denoting a service, you are still registering a trademark.
Trademarks can be registered online using Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) here:
http://www.uspto.gov/teas/e-TEAS/index.html
There are two kinds of trademark applications:
A TEAS application registers a single trademark. This costs $325, and requires the "minimum amount" of information, including the register's name and address, a clear drawing of the trademark, and a list of goods sold under this trademark. This is sufficient for most business owners.
If you are registering multiple trademarks, use a TEAS Plus application. The basic application costs $100 less, but requires "complete" information. This includes the minimum info plus an email address, citizenship or corporate location information, an English translation if the mark is in a foreign language, a statement identifying people in portraits used, and certification by a trademark official. This form also carries an additional $50 for each class of goods and services covered under the trademark. The TEAS system has a search engine for classes here:
http://tess2.uspto.gov/netahtml/tidm.html
 Posted 5181 day ago
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