Many logos are a bit cookie cutter, simply using a pretty font and changing up the words. Make sure your logo is truly unique and doesn’t resemble already copyrighted works. While you can’t prevent every instance where someone uses your logo improperly, you can be proactive and reach out with a cease and desist letter or even take legal action when needed. Track traffic and make sure no one is hotlinking to your logo. At a minimum, set up Google alerts to notify you when a title you’ve used appears elsewhere. You can file Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) with Google and get some of the theft shut down. Those who would exploit companies by stealing their content know how to skirt the law and don’t care if you have copyright or not. Different countries may not be subject to another country’s laws. Many people aren’t aware of copyright regulations. You can also include a copyright notice on your page. Protect your designs by disabling right clicking or watermarking images. Protect Your SiteĪround 4.66 billion people use the internet, creating lots of room for fraud and copyright infringements. Hire an attorney well-versed in copyright law to avoid major errors. Again, copyright can be tricky to navigate. You may need to get your staff to sign off in a work-for-hire agreement. Pay attention to terms as filing online might seem easier than physically mailing a form, but can result in earlier renewals and additional fees.Ĭopyright is what you’d use to protect content written on your site or images taken by an employee. You must renew trademarks every 10 years. You may need both to fully protect your intellectual property and prevent misuse. Choose Trademark or CopyrightĪ trademark tends to protect words and slogans, while a copyright protects the design. What are the steps you need to take to copyright/protect your brand image? 1. However, trademark fees run into the $100s and the process is much more complex. Copyright fees are fairly inexpensive, typically under $100. Copyrights and Trademarks must be renewed frequently, so be aware of how long the term is and what filing fees you’ll incur to renew.Ĭonsider the cost of copyrighting part of the expense of doing business. You can file paperwork on your own, but you will have to pay filing fees and you may run into issues if you’re unsure how to best navigate the system. They have a list of retired business professionals and tax experts who might offer some basic advice to get you started. You could also seek help from the local branch of the Small Business Administration. Explain you’re on a budget and that you have a few questions. Talk to a legal expert or call the United States Library of Congress and the Patent and Trademark office for details. The staff at government offices can be quite helpful. You can establish a “common law trademark” by using your logo as part of your business operations. However, there are some rules you should be aware of that might protect you in some instances without spending a dime. Even if you slog through the paperwork yourself, you’ll still have to pay filing costs. There is a registration fee for copyrights and trademarks. If you’re on a tight budget, there are still some things you can do to protect yourself and your company assets. To navigate the complex world of copyrights, you’re really better off if you can afford to hire a lawyer well-versed in the process. However, there are also some things you must be aware of, such as not being able to copyright or trademark common words and symbols. How can you protect it so no one steals your idea? You might wonder, “How do I copyright my logo?” The process to ensure your creative efforts don’t get stolen is easier than you might think. Registering your copyright with the appropriate government office can even help in a situation where you have to litigate intellectual theft. You’ve spent a lot of time, money and effort to come up with the perfect logo for your business.
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