How to Check if a Business Name Is Trademarked | A Detailed Guide

Choosing the right name for your business isn't just a creative endeavor—it's a crucial first step in branding and legal protection. 

As you come up with different business names that capture the essence of your venture, it's vital to ensure that your business name isn't already claimed by someone else or some other entity.

Trademarking your business name:

• Protects your brand's identity: Ensures exclusive rights to your name, preventing others from using it.
• Prevents legal disputes: Avoids costly and time-consuming trademark infringement issues.
• Establishes your unique market presence: Strengthens brand recognition and customer trust.

Here's a detailed guide on how to check if your preferred business name is already trademarked, ensuring you start your business journey on the proper legal basis.

Trademark basics — building a foundation

Before we delve into how to check if a business name is trademarked, let's explore some of the foundations of trademarks:  

Firstly, what is a trademark?

A trademark is a distinctive symbol, word, phrase, design, or combination legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. 

It serves as a unique identifier that distinguishes the goods or services of one party from those of others. 

Trademarks provide businesses exclusive rights to use their trademarks in connection with their products or services, preventing others from using similar marks that could confuse consumers.

What are the different types of trademarks?

Trademarks can take various forms, including names, logos, slogans, designs, and even sounds or colors in specific contexts.

Each type serves to create a recognizable and memorable association with the brand. 

For example, the Coca-Cola logo, the Nike "swoosh," and McDonald's "I'm lovin' it" slogan are all well-known trademarks that instantly evoke the respective brands in the minds of consumers. 

These marks help to build brand identity and loyalty.

The various trademark classes

Trademarks are categorized into 45 different classes based on the nature of the goods or services they represent. 

These classes, defined by the Nice Classification system, help organize and standardize the trademark registration process worldwide. 

Each class covers a specific category of products or services, such as Class 25 for clothing or Class 35 for advertising and business management services.

When registering a trademark, selecting the appropriate class or classes that accurately describe the goods or services associated with the mark is essential. 

This classification ensures that trademarks are registered and protected in the relevant sectors.

So, why is it important to check the availability of your business name? 

Checking the availability of a business name before using it is essential for several reasons — these are as follows:

1. Legal protection

If you select a business name that someone else has already trademarked, you risk infringing on their trademark. 

This can lead to legal disputes, resulting in costly litigation or a forced change in your business name. 

Ensuring the name is available helps avoid these potential legal issues.

2. Brand identity and market presence

Your business name is a critical part of your brand identity. 

It's how customers recognize and differentiate you from your competitors. 

Using a unique and legally available name helps establish a strong brand that resonates with your target audience without being confused with existing brands.

3. Avoiding consumer confusion

Using a similar name to another business, especially within the same industry, can lead to consumer confusion. 

This can harm your reputation and affect customer loyalty and trust. 

Consumers might also mistakenly engage with a competitor, believing they're communicating with your brand.

4. Long-term growth and expansion

As your business grows and potentially expands into new markets, having a unique name that is not subject to trademark restrictions in other regions is beneficial. 

It allows for smoother expansion without the need for rebranding or legal negotiations.

By checking if a business name is available and free from trademarks, you:

• Set a solid foundation for your business operations,
• Reduce the risk of future complications,
• And ensure that your brand identity is protected and distinctive.

Simple steps to do a trademark search 

Want to conduct a trademark search? Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Visit Trademarkia

Start by visiting Trademarkia. Our platform provides an easy-to-use interface for conducting comprehensive trademark searches.

Step 2: Enter your search term

Use the search bar on our homepage to type in the name or search the logo you wish to check. Ensure that the spelling is correct to obtain accurate results. 

Consider trying different variations or spellings of your search term for the best results.

Step 3: Review the search results

Our system will display a list of trademarks that match or closely resemble your search term. 

Carefully review these results to identify any exact matches or significant similarities. 

Pay attention to the trademarks' categories and classes to understand the context of their use.

Step 4: Analyze detailed information

Click on any relevant trademark entry to access detailed information, including its status, owner, and filing details. 

This information will help you assess whether there's a potential conflict with your intended trademark. 

Understanding these details is crucial for making informed decisions about your trademark application.

Steps to register your trademark internationally with Trademarkia

Interested in registering internationally? Follow these steps:

Understand the Madrid system

Trademarkia can help you navigate the Madrid System, which is managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This system allows you to register your trademark in multiple countries through a single application.

Conduct an international trademark search with Trademarkia

Before filing for international registration, use Trademarkia's extensive database to ensure your business name isn't already registered in your target markets.

Choose your target countries

Trademarkia's licensed trademark attorneys can help you decide in which countries to protect your trademark based on your business plans, market presence, and potential for expansion.

Prepare your application with Trademarkia

Trademarkia will assist you in preparing your international trademark application through the USPTO (if you are a US applicant) or the trademark office in your home country. 

This will serve as your "base" application or registration.

File through the Madrid protocol with Trademarkia

Submit your international application through the Madrid Protocol, designating the countries where you seek protection.

Trademarkia can manage this process for you, ensuring all requirements are met.

Pay the required fees

Trademarkia will help you navigate the fee structure, which includes both the basic fee and fees for each designated country, ensuring all payments are made correctly.

Monitor the application process with Trademarkia

Trademarkia will track your application as the WIPO examines it and forwards it to the trademark offices of the designated countries.

Each office will review your application according to its national laws.

Respond to office actions

Trademarkia will help you respond promptly to any office actions or requests for additional information from the trademark offices in the designated countries, avoiding delays or refusals.

Maintain and renew your trademark with Trademarkia

Once registered, Trademarkia will assist you in maintaining and renewing your trademark according to the rules of each country, keeping track of renewal dates and any required documentation.

Explore our trademark registration blog for a detailed guide on registering a trademark in the US.

What to do If your desired business name is trademarked (4 steps)

Oh no! The business name you wanted to trademark is already protected — what do you do? Well, follow these four steps:

Step 1: Understand the scope of the trademark

When you find out that your desired business name is already trademarked, the first step is to investigate the specifics of the existing trademark. 

This includes understanding the class of goods or services it covers and the geographical area in which it's protected. 

The trademark might only apply to a particular industry or region, which could mean that there is still room for you to use the name in a different context. 

Thoroughly assessing the scope of the trademark helps you determine whether there is a direct conflict with your intended use of the business name.

Step 2: Consult a trademark attorney

It's crucial to seek professional legal advice to navigate the complexities of trademark law. 

A trademark attorney can help you clearly understand your options and the potential risks involved in using a name similar to an existing trademark. 

They can help you evaluate the likelihood of a successful trademark challenge and advise on the best course of action. 

If possible, this might include negotiating with the trademark owner or exploring alternative naming strategies to avoid legal issues.

Step 3: Consider modifying your business name

If your desired business name is too similar to an existing trademark, one practical approach is to modify the name to make it distinct. 

This could involve adding or removing words, changing the order of words, or using different terms that convey a similar meaning. 

The goal is to create a unique name that still reflects your brand identity but avoids potential trademark infringement.

By making these adjustments, you can develop a business name that stands out in the market and complies with trademark laws, reducing the risk of legal disputes and confusion among consumers.

Step 4: Conduct a new trademark search

After modifying your business name, conduct another comprehensive trademark search to ensure the new name is available and doesn't conflict with existing trademarks. 

This step is essential to avoid repeating the same issue with a different name. 

Use both online trademark databases and professional search services to confirm the uniqueness of your revised business name.

Protect your business name with Trademarkia 

Securing a trademark for your business name is crucial for protecting your brand and ensuring you're legally safeguarded against potential conflicts. By following the above steps, you can confidently navigate the process of checking and registering a business name. 

Remember, investing time in thorough research and potentially some legal guidance upfront can save you from significant complications down the road.

To register your trademark internationally and check if the business name is available, leverage the expertise of Trademarkia's qualified and experienced trademark attorneys. 

Want to learn more? Watch the video below to understand the significance of registering your trademark.