Congratulations on creating your very own clothing line! Now that you’ve built a solid foundation with Quick Fuse, it’s time to protect your clothing brand’s identity through trademarking.
Today, we will guide you through the process of trademarking your clothing brand after working through the painstaking process of coming up with the designs and patterns and working with a clothing manufacturer Jersey city to bring them to life.
What Is A Fashion Trademark?
A fashion trademark safeguards essential elements of your clothing brand, such as the name, logo, and other identifiers. These trademarks can be applied to clothing items, labels, and marketing materials, adding value to your brand while protecting it from potential imitations. Without a trademark, your clothing line could face customer confusion and revenue loss.
Requirements include distinctiveness, ensuring your chosen trademark stands out and is not too generic or descriptive. It should also be original and not already in use by another company for similar goods or services. The trademark must be actively used in the marketplace on your products or in advertising, and you should specify the types of products or services the trademark will cover based on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) classification system.
The trademarking process typically takes 6–18 months and involves several hundred to over a thousand dollars in government fees. While it requires an investment, the protection, and individuality it provides your brand make it well worth the effort.
Why You Should Trademark Your Clothing Brand
Trademarking your clothing brand offers several advantages. It protects your brand’s identity, builds customer trust with a registered trademark symbol, gives you a competitive advantage by deterring copycats, allows you to expand into new areas confidently, and increases business value, making your brand more attractive to potential buyers.
The Trademark Registration Process
Research the trademark you have chosen to ensure its elements are available for registration. Then, file an application with the USPTO, specifying the brand element, providing usage examples, and paying the application fee.
Wait for the USPTO to review your application, a process that may take 3–6 months or longer. If approved, your trademark will be registered in the USPTO’s database. Use it in commerce within three years and renew it every ten years to maintain registration—it’s just that simple!
The Four Types Of Trademarks
A Blue Shirt with the Tag On by Clothing Brand Tommy Hilfiger
To protect your clothing brand name and gain exclusive rights, consider the following types of trademarks:
- Word Marks: These protect the actual name of your brand. When you hear Next or Zara, you don’t imagine H&M, and that’s because word marks protect them.
- Logo Marks: These stylized designs represent your brand. These symbols don’t have to spell out the brand name to be recognizable to the general public. They encompass clothing and non-clothing brands worldwide.
- Combined Marks: These incorporate both brand name and logo for comprehensive protection.
- Slogan Marks: These protect memorable catchphrases or taglines associated with your brand. Levi Strauss & Co.’s “A style for every story” comes under this very trademark.
The First Step: Bring Your Clothing Brand to Life with Apparel Manufacturing
Most well-known clothing brands outsource their apparel manufacturing Passaic because its benefits far outweigh any inconveniences. Ensure your brand stands out, retains its uniqueness, and enjoys legal protection by making trademarking a top priority.
Unlike most fast-fashion brands, outsource your line to a clothing manufacturer new jersey. Recruit our services for anything, from fabric cutting to pattern making and more.
Contact us for queries and concerns.