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logo (7)
I've been talking to some ambitious friends AGAIN! And this particular friend has an actual clothing line coming out. We were talking about how he would go about copyrighting his brand name and the logo and I realized that there might be more up-and-coming merchandisers/designers that don't know about this process. So, this week, I'm going to talk about how to copyright your logo, website, blog or business name. OR in using the actual term, TRADEMARK your "stuff". I used 'copyright' in the title because most people confuse the two. However, as I researched this subject I found out some interesting things...
Copyright is actually not the same as a trademark. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, a copyright provides protection for original works in the realms of music, poetry, movies, literature, etc. In fact, copyright exists as soon as the publication exists. It is just advised to register your publication with the U.S. Copyright Office for legal purposes. Some people also like to publish the copyright facts on their publications and make sure there is public record. Registration fees vary from $35 to $80. And it's more to renew, get copies or search copyright records. Believe it or not, people steal ideas so you want to make sure you're protected. And for a mere $35 at least, I'd say it's a good idea to make sure your writings are safe, LEGALLY.
Now to the good stuff. A trademark is what is used to protect patents, trademarks, and ideas. This is handled in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). So a business name, logo or even business idea would fall under the trademark category. It is often confused with copyright but now you know the difference. The reason you would want to register for a trademark is to get legal use of a service mark (™,℠,®) for your word, phrase, symbol, or design.
The benefits of getting the service mark is to protect your name! Keep people from stealing your ideas. Just like with copyright, if you claim ownership, you can use the ™ and ℠ symbols on your business name or logo at any time. But owning the federal trademark registration obviously has it's benefits legally. Some of which include, being able to defend your logo in federal courts, being listed in the USPTO database, and the use of the ® symbol. YES! You MUST be registered with the USPTO to use that symbol on your logos, etc. You can't even use it if your application for registration is pending. So there are great benefits to registering your business name and logo.
Now, keep in mind, the USPTO has the right to deny your registration application. Especially if there's a similar logo. So, you need to research and make sure your business name and logo are UNIQUE and fit federal regulations. When filing an application for trademark registration (or to get a service mark) you must file one application per category(class) you the need the service mark for. FOR EXAMPLE, if you need a service mark for a t-shirt logo AND for the store marquee, you must submit two applications. Application fees vary from $275-$325, depending on the type of application you submit.
I know it sounds a bit complex and confusing but registering your business name and logo are so worth the protection. Especially if you're an owner that offers services/goods, merchandiser, designer, or inventor that's about to BLOW UP! You can of course find out more and get an application at www.USPTO.gov.
For help on a business plan and development contact us today!
Tamara Garrison-Thomas
http://www.garrisonprosperitysolutions.com/
Each and every day, millions of commuters hit the highways and city streets throughout America. By placing your company's name and logo in front of these consumers with vehicle advertising, you can rev up your marketing efforts.
Vehicular advertising options are plentiful and can generate a mighty return on investment whether you advertise on a single vehicle or on a company-wide fleet. Hitting the road with advertising on your business vehicles can:
- Generate about 8.4 million impressions a year (according to a study by Driving Revenues)
- Help you reach a wide variety of consumers
- Be very cost-effective
- Build brand awareness
- Influence purchasing decisions
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Match up with magnetic signs: Removable magnetic signs let you decide when you want to use your car, truck or van as a marketing tool and when you prefer it to be sign-free. These easy-to-apply signs also let you switch vehicles or share signs with others.
I recommend: Order magnetic signs for as little as $25 each at MagneticSignsOnTime.com.
Explore vinyl lettering: When you want a more permanent solution, try self-adhesive vinyl lettering. These ready-to-apply letters come in several design options and can be applied to vehicles or vehicle windows.
I recommend: View vinyl lettering options as they'll appear on your particular type of vehicle at SpeedySigns.com.
Get better night-time exposure with reflective signs:Don't limit your vehicle advertising to the daylight hours. Make your vehicles visible day or night with reflective lettering.
I recommend: StreetGlo offers reflective fleet graphics and a free design tool.
Shout it from the rooftop: You don't have to be a taxicab to take advantage of signs atop your vehicle. Most restaurant delivery services opt for car toppers because they're magnetic and can be attached to any delivery vehicle.
I recommend: Find a variety of sizes and shapes of roof-top signs at CarSigns.com or at Autosox.com, which also offers antitheft cords to protect your car toppers.
Wrap your entire vehicle: Wrapping vehicles from bumper to bumper in vinyl graphics is one of the most attention-grabbing forms of fleet advertising. It looks like you've painted the entire vehicle in graphics, but the wrap is removable for seasonal campaigns and costs less than painting the vehicle.
I recommend: Bumper2Bumper Media and Custom Auto Wrap provide full-service fleet graphics wrapping.
Tout your business with truck graphics: There's no better way to get regional or national exposure than to equip all of your delivery trucks with advertising to drive your message to consumers.
I recommend: Graphic Concepts is a good choice for small businesses with a single truck because they have no minimum vehicles required. RoadBoardz Truckside Ads has an in-house team that can design your graphics and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
· When designing your vehicle graphics, choose contrasting colors and large type that can be seen at a distance. White type on a colored background is very difficult to see on the road, so if your logo includes white type, consider reversing the image to a dark colored type with a white background.
· Keep copy simple. Don't list your entire services, rather try to use a company logo, motto and phone number.
· When purchasing vinyl graphics and wraps for your vehicle, ask about warranties. Some vinyl will stay on five years, whereas other vinyl is meant for short-term usage.
· Always ask about the proper care and usage of graphics. Any warranties may be voided if you care for the graphics improperly
Voz Visual Designs, the graphic design and copywriting company owned by the hubs and me, is saying YES to you and to ourselves by offering discounts to the Execumama family on two major elements of your own business; your logo and your Web banner!!Here's how you can get involved in the Rewarding YES Campaign:Click on either of the Rewarding YES buttons that will be permanently affixed to this blog, and get whisked away to ways to say YES to the discounts you deserve!Join our Facebook Group and get exclusive Facebook Fam deals and tips on all things Graphic Design!Follow (and get followed by) Voz Visual on Twitter HEREWith Voz Visual Designs, a discount does not equal compromised work, so get involved, take full advantage in a wonderful way, and most importantly, SAY YES to yourself!
*Sigh* It has been quite a day... and to top off the thunder and lightning that absolutely drives me batty, I had a most exhausting back and forth with a client who isn't getting that the logo she says she wants is not a logo. To avoid more confusion, I decided to send her a list and I am going to repost it over and over again. And maybe once more.
What it IS:
- A visual representation of a business, a part of your brand
- Simple
- A vector image that can be resized without pixelating (i.e. those little jagged squares and blurs you get when you resize a picture)
- Looks as good in black/white/gray scale as it does in color
- Simple
- Created in programs such as Illustrator; or a very talented designer can do it in a program like Photoshop
- A very labor and time intensive project that involves the designer AND the client; therefore,
- Is an investment in your business and should be budgeted for accordingly.
- Did I mention simple?
- Can be put in front of any background or on any element.
- Looks good online AND in print
What it's NOT:
- Photographs or stock images/clip art
- Dependant on having a color background or texture elements
- Extremely busy and have a lot going on
- Created in Publisher, Word, PaintShop, etc.
- Changed every time the wind blows
Not only is your logo a representation of your business, it also tells the public how seriously you take your business. A true designer interprets your vision/mission statement into a visual element. I'll get into designer vs. desktop publisher in another MiniMizz post, but just because one can use design software does not mean they are a designer.
A good logo is not inexpensive - most designers I know charge $400 to $1,500 to start; if you want the source file so you can change the colors and stuff yourself, add some more to that figure. Artwork that will be used commercially may add more to that rate. Of course, if that is out of your budget there are sites that you can create your own logo BUT keep in mind that other businesses may/will be using some of the same variations that you do. If you don't intend to grow your brand, then that method is perfectly fine.
Your logo should also be made available to you in 72, 150, 300 or 600 dpi (dots per inch). The 72 and 150 dpi is good for online use, the higher numbers are used for print. Be sure that the designer you hire has a contract that spells out how many mocks and revisions are included in the rate and what file formats you will receive. Most common files will be jpg, gif and png (for transparency) or eps; if you are going to have the source file it will be psd or ai.
Hopefully this will help just one person to understand what is minimally involved in creating a logo.
