Registering a trademark without a company is entirely feasible. Know the straightforward steps to protect your brand and intellectual property, even if you’re not associated with a formal business entity. Learn how to secure your unique assets today.
Trademarks offer you exclusive rights to your brand identity in the market. Individuals can apply for a trademark without a company.
The cost to trademark a name ranges from $225 to $400 plus legal fees or $50 to $150 for a state trademark. The average cost to trademark a logo is $225 to $600 plus any legal fees.
Use of a business name provides some protection, but only if you can document you were first to use the name in your industry. Registering a trademark makes clear who the owner is on a national level. Trademarks protect company names, brands, slogans and logos.
You cannot register the name for free, because the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office charges a filing fee for every new trademark application. If you want to trademark your name, you must find a business use for it in one or more of the trademark categories. Listing your trademarked name in one category doesn’t prevent claiming it in another.
Many businesses can file a trademark application online in less than 90 minutes, without a lawyer’s help. The simplest way to register is on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s website. While hiring a trademark attorney is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. An attorney can help you navigate the complex application process.
The trademark registration process can take anywhere from six months to a year or more. When you first create your business, you should trademark your name. This will make it more difficult for others to use your name without your permission.