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By Richard Gearhart
Founding Partner

Have you invested time and energy building a name or logo for your business, only to worry someone else might use it? That’s where trademark registration comes in. A registered trademark does more than protect a slogan or design. It secures the value behind your brand and gives you the tools to defend it.

At Gearhart Law, we help businesses protect what they’ve created. If you’ve launched a product, designed a logo, or coined a name, registering your trademark can be one of the smartest legal steps you take.

Adds Long-Term Value to Your Business

Think of your trademark as more than a label—it’s an asset. A registered mark can increase the overall worth of your business over time. Investors, buyers, and partners often look for registered intellectual property when deciding whether to work with a company.

A registered trademark can also:

  • Make your brand more recognizable and credible to customers
  • Set your business apart from competitors in a crowded market
  • Become part of your company’s legacy and resale value

Whether you’re planning to stay small or grow, a trademark registration supports your business goals by making your brand more marketable and valuable.

Strengthens Your Legal Protection

Without a registered trademark, your rights are limited to the geographic area where you’re actively doing business. That can leave your brand vulnerable.

When you register a trademark through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you gain presumptive nationwide ownership. That means stronger protection, even in areas you haven’t yet reached.

Here’s what that protection includes:

  • The legal right to use the ® symbol
  • A public record of your ownership, visible in the USPTO database
  • Stronger footing in legal disputes over similar names or marks
  • A clearer path to recovering damages if someone uses your mark without permission

We work with clients to make sure the mark they register aligns with their brand’s identity and is protected from day one.

Makes Enforcement Easier and More Effective

Having a registered trademark gives you more tools to stop infringement. If someone starts using a similar name or logo, you can take action quickly.

Some benefits of enforcement include:

  • The ability to file a lawsuit for trademark infringement in federal court
  • Assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in blocking counterfeit imports
  • Easier takedown processes on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or Instagram

Many online services and retailers now require proof of trademark registration before helping you with an infringement complaint. If you’re doing business online or selling through third-party platforms, registration can make a big difference.

At Gearhart Law, we help clients enforce their trademarks and respond to unauthorized use with confidence.

Supports International Trademark Protection

If you’re thinking about expanding globally, having a U.S. registration gives you a strong foundation. It opens the door to international trademark applications through treaties like the Madrid Protocol, which can simplify and make the process more cost-effective.

With a U.S. registration, you also signal to international partners and competitors that your brand is protected and that you take ownership seriously.

Whether you’re selling online to international customers or building supply chain relationships overseas, a registered trademark gives you more control over how your brand is used beyond U.S. borders.

Let’s Protect What You’ve Built

Registering your trademark is more than a legal formality—it’s a smart investment in your brand’s future. It helps you protect your ideas, grow your value, and take action when necessary.

At Gearhart Law, we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish. If you’re ready to secure your brand, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

About the Author
Richard Gearhart, Esq. is the founder of Gearhart Law and the host of a weekly radio show for entrepreneurs called “Passage to Profit”. He has built a firm with an international presence that helps entrepreneurs from around the world with their patent, trademark and copyright needs. Richard commands a breadth of experience that comes from nearly 30 years of practice in the writing and prosecution of hundreds of patents, and in all aspects of Intellectual Property law. In 2022, Richard was recognized by ROI New Jersey as a 2022 ROI Influencer in the Law List category for being one of the best of the best in New Jersey for intellectual property law. Gearhart Law emerged from Richard’s passion for entrepreneurship and startups and his belief that entrepreneurship grows the economy and creates jobs. When we started Gearhart Law, our goal was to help and support the new business ventures of 500 entrepreneurs and inventors. After 12 years, the firm has far surpassed this goal; today, we look forward to helping even more inventors and entrepreneurs get off to a great start and reach their own goals.