Should You Trademark Your Business Name, Logo, or Both?

About this episode

Mark Goodman explains the differences between trademarking a business name, a logo, or both, and the importance of these distinctions for brand protection.

In this episode of Inherently Distinctive, Mark Goodman, a Nevada-based intellectual property attorney, explains the key differences between trademarking a business name, a logo, or both—and why understanding this distinction is crucial for protecting your brand identity. Mark breaks down what each type of trademark covers, how they protect your business in different ways, and the order of priority when you’re limited on resources. He also discusses how design elements, color, and slogans can impact your protection strategy, and shares practical examples from well-known brands like Nike, Starbucks, and UPS. If you’ve ever wondered whether to file a trademark for your name, your logo, or both, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to make a smart legal decision that fits your business goals.

People in this episode

Guest: Mark Goodman

Topics covered

• trademarking
• business name
• logo
• brand identity
• intellectual property

Keywords

• trademark
• protection strategy
• design elements
• slogans
• legal decision

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Nike, Starbucks, UPS

Places: Nevada

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