How to Register a Trademark in Idaho

Introduction

If you want to protect your business name or logo, trademark registration is a must. Whether you’re opening a new business or have been in business for years, registering your trademark is an important step. This article will cover everything from what trademark registration means, what it protects, where and how much it costs, and more!

Understanding Trademarks

Trademark can be defined as a source-identifying mark, name, slogan, or another device that is used in commerce with goods or services. It may include words, phrases, and symbols such as logos. A trademark does not have to be registered to have legal rights but registration gives notice of your claim of ownership and can be an important step if you ever decide to expand into foreign markets.

Trademark Protection

In a nutshell, a trademark can protect the name and logo of your business. It can also protect the name and logo of your product or service. And finally, it can protect the name and logo of your brand.

If you want to trademark something in Idaho—whether that’s an individual word or phrase (like “McDonald’s” or “Breakfast Anytime”), an image (like their famous golden arches), an animal (like Mickey Mouse), or even a sound (think “beep beep”—that’s what makes those machines stop at railroad crossings).

How to Register for a Trademark in Idaho

Now that we have a better idea of what trademarking is and why you should consider it, let’s talk about how to register for a trademark in Idaho. You can register for a trademark in Idaho through three different avenues: the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Idaho Secretary of State, or the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to weigh your options before making any decisions on which route to take when registering your brand in this state.

Cost to register for a trademark in Idaho

How much it will cost you to register for a trademark in Idaho depends on the types of goods and services you want to trademark. Filing fees are $100 per class of goods/services. If you file an extension of time to respond after filing an intent-to-use application, the filing fee is also $100 per class.

Where to File for a Trademark Application

You can file your trademark application with the Idaho Secretary of State. You will receive a certificate from them, which you need to submit to the USPTO.

If you’re not sure which office to start with, check out this list of first-level state agencies:

• Idaho Secretary of State (for trademarks and business registrations)
• Attorney General’s Office (for trademarks)
• Idaho Department of Commerce (for copyrights)
• Idaho Department of Labor (for employee benefits plans)
• Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (for environmental permits)

Idaho Trademark Registration Forms/Paperwork

There are three types of trademark registration forms:

• The standard application form (form TM-1) is used to register a trademark by filing an application with the USPTO. It requires information about your trademark, such as the description and image of your mark, as well as details on how you plan to use it in commerce. You’ll also need to provide information about yourself, including your name and address, contact phone number(s), email address (if available), business entity type (such as LLC or corporation), tax ID number(s) if applicable.
• Use Form TM-6 if you would like a certificate of registration for one state only—Idaho does not require this step unless another state does.
• Use Form TM-7 for concurrent registrations across multiple states.

Benefits

In many ways, registering your trademark is the same for all states. For example, you’ll be able to:

• Prove ownership of a mark and prevent others from using it. This can help you avoid costly lawsuits like cease-and-desist letters and legal fees.
• Defend your rights against potential infringement by others who may want to use similar logos or company names.
• Establish credibility in an industry or market; this can be beneficial when trying to sell products or services because consumers will recognize the trademark and trust what you’re selling as unique and authentic—but only if they know it exists!

Takeaway

Registering your trademark is the first step in protecting your brand. Registering a trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your name or logo. The benefits of registering your trademark include:

• Preventing others from using similar marks
• Increasing the likelihood of recovery if someone else uses your mark without permission

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand how to register your trademark in Idaho. If you are looking for more information on the subject, please contact us and we will be happy to help you out.