The business name is simply that, a name, a way to identify a business, entity, or individual. A trademark is not limited to a business name but can also include a phrase, logo, symbol, design, image, or a combination of these elements. But most important, trademarks are property.

Similar to any other tangible property, the owner of a trademark has the exclusive rights to the trademark and can prevent another individual from using the trademark.

If you are providing goods or services from an internet based business only, then a trademark is necessary to protect your business. Someone could possibly use a very similar domain name selling the same products and piggyback off your marketing efforts.
The primary advantage of using a trademarked domain name is protection. If someone attempts to register a similar domain to steal your customers, you have legal recourse. This trademark will protect you in the case of misspellings or variations on the top level domain (.com, .org, .net).

Not every domain name will qualify for trademark protection. The use of common or generic names will not usually meet the criteria of a trademark. Domain name trademark applies to a domain name if:

• It is distinctive or its distinction results from consumer association of the name and the Internet business; and
• The owner of the domain name was the first to use it in association with the sale of goods or services.

Yes. In most countries the government trademark office allows one trademark—that's one name, one logo, or one slogan —per application. You can register a logo that includes text, but then the design and the text together are considered one trademark. Want them protected individually? You'd need to file two applications.

We will prepare and file your application within 48 hours. Approval from the government trademark office takes on average 3-6 months.

Yes. A government trademark office might reject your mark if there's a chance consumers could confuse it with another trademark (i.e. if your mark sounds like or looks like another mark in a similar industry). To minimize this risk, our attorneys conduct a comprehensive trademark search for identical trademarks prior to filing an application.

Most often no. However, it might be possible if the other mark is used for different products or services (different trademark classes).