How to Register a Business Logo

by Leslie Truex Google

Your business logo is as much of an as asset as your inventory. Your logo represents your company brand and reputation. To prevent others from using your logo, you need to protect it through trademark registration at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

1. Visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office or one of its libraries in person, or visit online at to start a trademark search. Before you can register your trademark, you need to ensure it or something very similar to it is not in use already. Online, click on "Search Marks" and then "Word and/or Design Marks." Read through the "Design Search Code Manual" to help you pinpoint the type of designs you need to search.

2. Create a description of your products and/or services that the mark represents. The description must be specific enough to identify the nature of the products or services. For example, you can't just say you sell mugs. Instead you must identify the type of mugs such as coffee mugs or beer mugs.

3. Prepare a submission of your logo. The trademark office allows for two different kinds of registration: the standard character format or the design format. For a logo, you'll submit a design format that includes the words, numbers and pictures set in a specific design style.

4. File your application. You can file the paperwork including your design and fee at a USPTO office or online. If you file online, you'll get an email confirmation with a serial number that you'll use when corresponding with the USPTO. If you mail your application, you'll receive your confirmation with serial number within a couple of weeks. The USPTO recommends that you check the status of your registration every three to four months from the filing date.


  • It may take up to four months to receive a response to your application, and a year to several years for processing.


  • Trademark searching and filing is a complicated process that if done incorrectly could cost a business a great deal of time and money. For that reason, business owners should consider using a trademark or intellectual property attorney to assist in filing the trademark registration.

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