Blogs are a service, even if they are not for profit and have no income-producing sales or advertising, and blog names can be protected by trademark law and blog names can be registered as trademarks with the USPTO.
Trademark Tips for Blog Owners
- Be creative. A creative name is generally much more likely to be unique and much easier to protect.
- Make it stand out. When using the name, put it in a different font, color, bold, or italics to make it stand out.
- Use proper trademark symbols. Use “SM” on the right shoulder of the title if the name is not registered, since posting to a blog is a service. If the blog name is registered, use the ® as frequently as possible.
- File an application with the USPTO to register a trademark for the name of the blog.
- Register the corresponding .com domain name, even if you do not intend to use it.
- Register the corresponding social media usernames on major social media sites, even if the names are never used.
- Monitor for infringement. Set up a free Google alert or use other methods to check periodically for copycats. If you learn of an infringement, consult with an attorney.
