Business Essentials: Trademark Basics for Startups - Protecting Your Brand

Event description

Trademarks and intellectual property may not be the first thing on your mind when starting a business. However, ensuring the authenticity and uniqueness of your company's trademark, brand name, and logo is vital in today's competitive market. US trademark law offers legal protection against infringement, safeguarding your brand's identity and reputation.

By understanding the basics of trademark registration and enforcement, businesses can establish a solid foundation for their brand and avoid potential legal complications in the future. Some of the topics we will review include:

• The level of trademark clearance and due diligence that should be conducted before starting your business.
• Whether you should register the trademark or rely on common law rights.
• Ensuring the registration of key domains and social media handles that you plan to use.
• Understanding the issues related to enforcing your rights against infringement and misuse.
• Related intellectual property (IP) issues, such as protecting creative rights under copyright, understanding what "fair use" really means, deciding whether to own or license works created for you, and whether to sign an NDA before starting a business discussion.