LOGO
Now the most important part is to get the concept for a logo. It is almost the same process as selecting the name. First you have to determine what your logo should say about your company. There are different ways to represent a company.
- You may come up with an image related to a business like a house for a real estate or a car for a car dealer.
- It could be just an abstract image representing company’s philosophy. For example some kind of blocky image for a stable trustful company or just a pyramid. Or a very dynamic image with orbits and swooshes, sparks, particles for a very modern, young, high tech company to represent electrical activities or just cutting edge meteoritic technology.
Not all the businesses can be easily associated with any kind of particular image. For example a programming company doesn’t have many images to be associated with (except a computer), so in this situation it would be recommended just to concentrate on an abstract image and just to represent the feel of the companies’ business rather then just coming up with a particular image. Another major issue with people is that when they order a logo they want it to look like some other WELL-BRANDED companies like McDonalds or AOL. Those are of course great logos, but they are very recognizable only because they are well advertised. When you come up with an image for your company you should be already thinking of the best way to advertise your company towards the targeted audience. Your logo would be not just noticeable and memorable, but would be also well accepted by the market. You can use any type of art style for a logo as long as it is unique, easily reproducible, and is suitable for your business its market. In the last 5 years, we have seen a giant growth in the Internet industry. You can order any type of design from the comforts of your home/office and everything will be presented to you in a timely manner. With every moral, prosperous company out there are plenty OF COMPANIES just waiting to take advantage of you.
Right now, there are thousands of logo design companies on the internet filled with extensive online samples and portfolios. The number one resource for an on-line logo design company to get new clients is through Web searches. Unfortunately, some people have become victims of fraud or poor quality service. How you can avoid this is asking a few key questions:
Ask if the company has on site designers and If they are a out-source company.
It also happens that you may see a web site without the proper contact information. You should definitely red flag this site. It is also important to check for the address and phone numbers so you don’t visit the same company twice. Some online logo design companies have more then one different web sites and they do not inform their clients about it. A way to detect that everything is on the level is by looking at their contact information and checking if it matches with your previous records. Have a special font in it. There is usually very little work done on these logos and are the cheapest deals that you will find. There are downsides to going cheaper.
First: you have to be very cautious about registering or even thinking of registering this type of logo. These are pre made logos and usually are sold to many different clients simultaneously which means you may not be the only company that owns this logo.
The second type of logo design Company is one that does custom work. These logos are designed from the scratch and they are designed specifically for your company to fit your needs and are 100% original – meaning that you can register this logo once completed and use it as your trade mark.
Packages usually include:
- A fixed amount of initial variations
- A turn around time
- An amount of designers working on each project
- A fixed amount of changes included in the package
- A fixed price
- Additional services (such as stationery design)
- Amount of files included in the final logo kit (description of each file)
- Refund policy
- Redraw policy
Here are some factors that you have to look at when selecting the best package for your needs:
1. Packages usually vary from 2 to 9 different logo samples. Of course, the less variations in any given package LOWER THE PRICE. However, sometimes going with the less expensive package is not always the answer; You are limited in your choice of samples and the amount of variations you can make.
2. We believe that by presenting a wider variety of samples we can hit the home run much faster and effective.
3. Next thing to look for is a turn around time. It also varies from company to company and it can be anywhere from 24hrs to 2weeks before the initial variations are ready. You should look at it from a reasonable point of view. It is important to know what is involved in the creation of your logo design. Within 24 hours of placing your order, it is usually a gathering of information solely and initial sketch work. This time is spent for collecting more information from the client, doing appropriate market research and logo design.
4. Another thing to look at is the amount of designers working on each project. This is an important detail, often overlooked. You don’t want to see one designer working on all of your 8 variations. No matter how good designer is, he will still have some unique style developed and it is always important for any project to be viewed upon with fresh eyes.
5. After your initial variations have been completed, you may want to week some samples and change colors, fonts… It is important to know how many changes you are entitled to before you get stuck paying an extra fee for each change.
6. Price is definitely one of the most important features of the package. You should look at all of the packages offered and decide which has the most for YOUR DOLLARS.
7. Additional services may be included in the package; such as stationery design, printing services or life time file support. Logo bee offers all such extra features within its packages.
8. When your logo is done and finalized you will need some different file formats to work with your logo. You will need bitmap files (gif, jpeg) to place your logo on the internet. You will also need a vector file (ai,cdr) for printing, and you may also need a high resolution bitmap file (tiff…) for printing in case you don’t have any vector program handy.
9. Refund policy is another important feature of the package. No matter how good the logo design company is, how skillful they are or how much experience they have, the bottom line is that we are creating art and it is subjective. Sometimes it is hard to get the right image style
10. As mentioned above, a redraw policy is also an important part of the package. If the designers are off the mark on the first batch of samples, it is more then likely that if given a second opportunity, the designers will be on the mark!
TRADEMARK
You’ve worked hard to create powerful brand names, slogans and designs as part of your successful image. You’ve built on success by developing valuable contacts, databases, trade secrets and proprietary business methods. Maintaining such treasured commodities in the new global economy requires a comprehensive solution to protect your investments, promote your sales and prevent your rights from slipping away from failure to register and use your original ideas and distinctive methods to stave off infringement and consumer confusion. Federal trademark registration provides an economical means of protecting a company’s brand names, logos and domain names from use by others.
A trademark includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name.
What is a service mark?
A service mark is any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce, to identify and distinguish the services of one provider from services provided by others, and to indicate the source of the services.
Do I have to register my trademark?
No, but federal registration has several advantages, including notice to the public of the registrant’s claim of ownership of the mark, a legal presumption of ownership nationwide, and the exclusive right to use the mark on or in connection with the goods or services set forth in the registration.
What are the benefits of federal trademark registration?
Constructive notice nationwide of the trademark owner’s claim.
Evidence of ownership of the trademark.
Jurisdiction of federal courts may be invoked.
Registration can be used as a basis for obtaining registration in foreign countries.
Registration may be filed with U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.
Are there federal regulations governing the use of the designations “TM” or “SM” with trademarks?
No. Use of the symbols “TM” or “SM” (for trademark and service mark, respectively) may, however, be governed by local, state, or foreign laws and the laws of the pertinent jurisdiction must be consulted. These designations usually indicate that a party claims rights in the mark and are often used before a federal registration is issued.
When is it proper to use the federal registration symbol (the letter R enclosed within a circle — ® — with the mark?
The federal registration symbol may be used once the mark is actually registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Even though an application is pending, the registration symbol may not be used before the mark has actually become registered. The federal registration symbol should only be used on goods or services that are the subject of the federal trademark registration. [Note: Several foreign countries use the letter R enclosed within a circle to indicate that a mark is registered in that country. Use of the symbol by the holder of a foreign registration may be proper.
Do I need an attorney to file a trademark application?
No, although it may be desirable to employ an attorney who is familiar with trademark matters. An applicant must comply with all substantive and procedural requirements of the Trademark Act and Trademark Rules of Practice even if he or she is not represented by an attorney. The names of attorneys who specialize in trademark law may be found in the telephone yellow pages, or by contacting a local bar association. Trademark search firms are often listed in the yellow pages under the heading “Trademark Search Services” or “Patent and Trademark Search Services”. Before an individual applies for a federal trademark, it is highly recommended they do an initial search to see if the trademark is available for registration. Do a broad based search covering FEDERAL and STATE trademark databases and “Common Law” sources as well.
