Currently, there are over 600 million blogs online. However, not all of them comply with copyright policies, because they may be using other bloggers’ names and logos.
To avoid someone from using your designs, you must copyright and trademark your blog’s name and logo, especially when your blog starts making a profit. Doing so will help you secure your brand identity and take legal action if someone steals your branding.
This article will discuss the differences between copyright and trademark and why you should get them. We’ll also show you how to register your blog’s name and logo for trademark and copyright.
Copyright vs. Trademark
People often use the terms trademark and copyright interchangeably. However, these define two different terms.
Copyright
Copyright protects tangible and original work, such as blog posts, designs, and photographs. Generally, copyright lasts the creator’s lifetime plus 70 more years.
In several countries, like the UK and the US, an original work gets copyright by default. However, it may be necessary to get a copyright certificate to validate your ownership.
Trademarks
A trademark protects any element that distinguishes brands or goods from others in the same industry. It includes the domain name for your business, slogan, and symbol. Trademarks can last indefinitely but have to be renewed every ten years.
Why Copyrights and Trademarks are Important
Both copyright and trademark act as the legal proof of ownership of your business elements. If someone duplicates your work, you can sue them and are more likely to get compensation.
Also, getting a copyright certificate means you have the right to use the copyright symbol (©) on your designs, distribute them, and make an adaptation of them.
Meanwhile, a trademark lets you use the business elements legally, apply a registered trademark (®) on them, and prevent other organizations in the same industry from using them. It also helps customers differentiate your brand and products from others.
Note that your blog should grow into a business if you want to register for a trademark. If you don’t intend to use your blog for business, copyrights and trademarks won’t be necessary.
How to Copyright Your Blog’s Logo
The first step is to find a site for a copyright application in your country. Then, follow the guidelines and pay the registration fee.
If you live in the US, there are several steps to copyrighting your blog’s logo:
- Go to the US copyright registration page.
- Click the Login to the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) Registration System button.
- Log in with your account. If you don’t have one, sign up by filling out the form, including your name and email address.
- After logging in, click Register Certain Group of Published Works on the left-hand side of your dashboard.
- Click Start Registration.
- Complete the application by including information, like the creator’s profile and logo’s publication date.
- Pay the registration fee of $35 with a debit card, credit card, or electronic check.
- After the payment is confirmed, upload your logo file in PDF format.
Usually, the approval takes about three months. The copyright office will send you an email confirmation and the certificate once the process is completed.
How to Trademark Your Blog’s Name and Logo
Before applying for a trademark, ensure that no one has used a similar name and logo. Doing so will help you avoid potential conflicts with the registered brands. It will also help save money and time as even logos and names that are similar to already registered ones aren’t acceptable.
The US office has a database named Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to see registered trademarks.
Once you’re sure that your name and logo are original, file the trademark application. Different countries may have special requirements and steps.
However, a general trademark application includes:
- Files you want to register for a trademark in color.
- Your data, like name, address, and email address.
- The filing fee.
- Your company or blog details, including proof that it generates money.
- Your signature
For US residents, go to the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) page to register your trademark. Hit Apply online (TEAS) on the drop-down menu bar, then click Initial application forms to start your application.
During the process, you have two filling options to choose from:
- TEAS Plus. Has more upfront requirements but a lower fee of $250.
- TEAS Standard. Has fewer upfront requirements but a higher fee of $350.
You also need to classify your application.
Based on the international trademark law, there are 45 trademark classes. Generally, a blog falls under the 041 category on Education and Entertainment Services. However, it may be different if you sell products from other categories, like clothing and furniture.
The trademark process usually takes 12 to 18 months. To monitor the application’s progress, use Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR).
It’s also worth mentioning that hiring an attorney is a must for foreign-domiciled applicants and recommended for US residents. Trademark attorneys help guide you through the application process and represent you at the trademark trial.
Conclusion
Copyrighting and trademarking your blog’s name and logo are great ways to secure your branding.
A copyright protects your artistic work, and a trademark helps identify your brand for the public. Both give you more legal power if someone duplicates your blog’s name or logo.
The copyright and trademark registration process may vary depending on your country. However, generally, you need to include the logo file, personal and blog information, and pay a filing fee.
If you’re a US resident, go to the US copyright registration page and fill out the necessary information to copyright your logo. Meanwhile, visit the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) page when you want to trademark your blog’s name and logo.
A rule of thumb is to check if no one in your industry has already registered a similar name and logo. If they have, you’ll likely need to come up with new designs.