07. WTF is a TM? All Your Trademark Questions Answered

Confused about trademarks & what it means for you as a business owner?

In this episode, Yasmine discusses the importance of trademarks for businesses and entrepreneurs building brands and selling products or services. Yasmine covers the categories of trademark distinctiveness and offers tips for selecting a trademark, conducting a clearance search, and using the correct trademark symbols in your brand and marketing materials. Additionally, Yasmine discusses trademarking personal names and brands, the use of trademark symbols, and the need for thorough trademark clearance searches to avoid infringement or forced rebrandings.

Key Takeaways:

• Trademarks are valuable assets that businesses should protect.
• Trademark distinctiveness categories include generic, descriptive, suggestive, arbitrary, and fanciful.
• Before selecting a trademark, conduct a clearance search to avoid infringement.
• Trademark registration provides exclusive rights and protection across the country.
• Working with an attorney for trademark registration is recommended.
• Use the appropriate trademark symbols and regularly conduct clearance searches to protect your trademarks.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction

02:22 What is a Trademark?

05:09 Categories of Trademark Distinctiveness

10:56 Trademark Selection & Clearance Search

14:05 Benefits of Trademark Registration

19:01 Trademark Symbols & Rights

23:20 Conclusion

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Disclaimer (because, duh): The information presented in this podcast and on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, you should consult directly one-on-one with an attorney.

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