How to Trademark a Logo: U.S. Application Guide

What does a logo trademark application cover?

A logo application generally covers the particular design shown in the application drawing. The drawing may include a symbol alone, stylized wording, or a combined design containing both wording and graphic elements.

The USPTO permits only one mark per application. If a business wants separate protection for a word mark, a standalone symbol, and a combined logo, separate applications may be appropriate because each version creates a different record.

1. Choose the exact logo version

Use the version that is genuinely important to the brand and likely to remain stable. Material changes usually cannot be made after filing. Removing, adding, or significantly rearranging design features can create a different commercial impression and may require a new application.

If color is claimed as a feature, the filing generally includes a color drawing, a color claim, and a description identifying where each color appears. A black-and-white drawing may provide flexibility when color is not part of the claimed mark, depending on the facts and filing strategy.

2. Prepare a compliant drawing

A special-form image should be clear, sharp, and reproducible, with minimal unnecessary white space. The USPTO currently requires a JPG image no larger than five megabytes and a filename shorter than 256 characters.

The drawing should not include TM, SM, or the federal registration symbol as part of the claimed design. It should represent the mark consistently with the specimen that supports use.

3. Search wording and design elements

Search any wording in the logo using spelling, sound, meaning, and related-goods variations. For graphic elements, use the USPTO design-search-code system to locate records containing similar visual features.

A search should consider the logo’s overall commercial impression. A different font or minor graphic change does not necessarily avoid a conflict when the dominant wording or design remains similar and the goods or services are related.

4. Describe the logo accurately

A special-form application requires a description of the mark. The description should identify the literal wording and meaningful design elements without promotional language or unsupported interpretation.

When color is claimed, explain which portions use each color. If the design contains foreign wording or non-Latin characters, additional transliteration or translation statements may be necessary.

5. Connect the logo to goods or services

Select goods or services and classes based on what customers receive, not simply the business industry. The logo’s registration scope will be tied to those identified offerings.

For a use-based filing, the specimen must show the logo as consumers encounter it in commerce. Product labels, packaging, point-of-sale pages, service advertising, and business signage may qualify depending on the listed goods or services and the way the mark is presented.

Logo filing checklist

A logo application is examined under the same federal registration standards as other marks. Careful preparation can reduce avoidable administrative problems, but the USPTO makes the registration decision.

• Confirm the correct legal owner.
• Select one stable version of the design.
• Decide whether color is claimed.
• Prepare a compliant JPG drawing and factual description.
• Search wording and relevant design codes.
• Identify accurate goods, services, classes, and filing basis.
• Collect a genuine specimen when current use is claimed.