Benefits of Federal Trademark Registration

As a nonprofit, your organization is playing a vital role in shaping a better world. Whether you focus on social justice, environmental causes, or aiding those in need, your impact is undeniable and dependent on those who support your cause. However, it can be challenging to stand out and gain that support in today’s world.

Your organization is one of many looking to make a positive impact, making it more important than ever to find ways to stand out and communicate the importance of your mission. This is where federal trademark registration becomes a powerful tool.

What is a Federal Trademark?

A federal trademark or service mark is a legally protected symbol, word, phrase, or design that distinguishes a specific brand or logo used by a nonprofit organization. When you have a trademark that is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you have exclusive rights to use that trademark throughout the United States. No other organization will be able to use your organization’s name, logo, or branding without facing legal consequences.

Taking ownership of your brand identity enables your nonprofit to build a distinct look and voice that will resonate with current supporters and those you are looking to win over to your cause. Branding is a key strategy in building businesses. When you think of Nike or Coca-Cola, their logos, colors, fonts, and slogans are likely the first things that come to mind. These are all aspects of branding each company has carefully cultivated over time.

The same strategy applies to nonprofit organizations. When you build a solid brand around your organization’s name and visuals, you create connections between what you stand for and those you want to provide support. And when you take the extra step to obtain a registered trademark, you help safeguard the work you’ve put into building your nonprofit’s brand.

While you can register your trademark at the state level, federal registration protects your trademark nationwide and is generally considered stronger legal protection. State registration offers protection only within the specific state where you register and is enforceable only through the state courts.

It can be tempting to opt for a state trademark. They tend to be less expensive and complicated than getting a federal trademark. But when you’re building a strong brand, you want to have the most potential for growth and reach, which means protecting it at the national level.

How Can Federal Trademark Registration Help a Nonprofit?

Federal trademark registration empowers your nonprofit to build a strong, recognizable brand, protect its identity, and potentially generate additional revenue. Here is a closer look at some of the benefits when your nonprofit is a registered trademark owner.

Establish Ownership

The first benefit of having a federal trademark you have legal ownership of your organization’s mark. This can prevent others, even nonprofits in different regions, from using your name without permission (unless it falls under Fair Use principles).

You won’t have to worry about investing in a website, logo, and social media presence, only to discover someone else owns the name, forcing you to rebrand entirely. Federal registration safeguards your investment.

Unlock Revenue Streams

A registered trademark becomes an asset that can be used to generate income for your organization. As you build value around your brand and your mark becomes synonymous with your cause, you can license your trademark to others for use on products or affiliated with services.

For example, a nonprofit focused on supporting social causes and has a substantial following of young adults might want to license its logo to companies targeting a similar audience, such as an organic clothing company. For every t-shirt sold with the nonprofit’s logo, the organization gets a percentage royalty, while the clothing company gets both the sale and the brand loyalty of consumers because of its partnership with the nonprofit.

Apply this strategy to other businesses and the organization can get a steady stream of revenue to better support its mission.

Enforce Your Rights

When you register your trademark, you have the right to sue in federal court for monetary damages if another person or organization uses your mark without your permission.

What would you do if a nonprofit in another state started using your organization’s logo in its marketing? It might not seem like a big deal since they aren’t competing for the same attention and donations you are. But what if that organization can potentially mislead donors, tarnish your reputation, and even make it more difficult for you to raise funds and grow your support base?

State trademark registration wouldn’t protect you in this situation. However, a federally registered trademark would enable you to file a lawsuit in federal court to stop the other organization from using your branding and seek compensation for damages.

Expand Global Reach

Federal registration protects your trademark within the United States. It also lays the groundwork for international protection should your organization want to expand to other countries.

You can use the rights that you have as the owner of a federal trademark in the U.S. to help build your legal case to apply for trademark rights in other countries. This is essential if your organization attracts international support or wants to license its brand globally.

Let’s say you find out there are significant groups of online supporters for your nonprofit overseas. This is a prime audience that could be interested in buying merchandise with your logo on it, a tactic you might already be benefiting from through licensing agreements in the U.S. Before pursuing this revenue stream, you’ll want to protect your brand in each of the countries you’ll be offering products for sale in.

You’ll need to hire an attorney to start the international registration process. Because you’ve already gained a federal trademark in the U.S., you will already have a basis to seek similar protections overseas.

Enhanced Marketability

A federal trademark is considered intellectual property – an asset with market value. Organizations and businesses considering sponsoring your nonprofit may prioritize working with a trademark owner.

Many corporations and foundations won’t risk donating money to an organization that could be sued in the future for using someone else’s trademark. Having a federally registered trademark gives these donors assurance that their money is being spent wisely and won’t be wasted on lawsuits from other nonprofits over who has the right to use a mark.

The Power of the ® Symbol

Federal registration allows you to display the ® symbol with your trademark. This symbol acts as a public notice, informing everyone that your mark is legally protected and cannot be used without your permission. Organizations that use the ® symbol without having registered trademarks can face federal penalties.

How to Register Your Nonprofit’s Trademark

Registering your trademark can be a complex and sometimes challenging task. It’s always a good idea to work with an attorney who has experience in nonprofit trademark protection and how to simplify the federal trademark registration process.

The legal team at Chisholm Law is here to provide you with specialized legal expertise, support, and services to establish a federal trademark for your nonprofit. We offer comprehensive trademark search capabilities, strategic guidance, application preparation and filing assistance, responsiveness to office actions, legal protection and enforcement support, and international trademark protection advice.

Contact us today to set up a free consultation and start your organization on the road to protecting what you’ve all worked so hard to build.