How Bikini Block® Protected Its Business When Getting Started

Starting a business is a challenging feat, especially when you’re a woman-owned fashion brand like Bikini Block®. This sister team created a brand they care about deeply and knew they had to protect it. One of the most important things that you can do as a business owner is to protect your brand assets. In a crowded market, it’s vital to have exclusive rights to your company name to avoid confusion that could result in your competitors diverting business away from you. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how Bikini Block protected its brand name when getting started and why it’s essential to do so.

Protecting Your Brand is Critical

Imagine buying a designer bag or pair of sunglasses, only to discover it’s a fake. You may not have minded, but from the brand’s owner’s perspective, it’s a significant problem. It diverts business away from them, and ultimately, it’s harmful to their brand’s reputation. This is why protecting your company name, logo, and other brand assets is essential. Bikini Block understood this from the beginning and took steps to establish its brand’s uniqueness and protect it early on in their business.

Trademark Protection

The Bikini Block, LLC correctly filed for a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademark protection is crucial for any business that wants to establish its uniqueness in the market. If another company uses the same name as yours, it could confuse and harm your brand’s reputation. Bikini Block ensured they’re the only company to use their brand name for swimwear by securing a trademark.

Bikini Block’s trademark application was essential because it was a new business engaging in interstate commerce. The sister owners recognized that it was necessary to establish brand recognition and protect their brand from the beginning. If they had waited until they were more successful in selling more bikinis, it would have been possible for another company to file a trademark application with the USPTO and beat them to getting trademark rights in the name.

Another advantage of securing a trademark early is that it provides a strong foundation for growing your business.

Where Do You Start?

Filing a trademark application is a great place to start, but correctly navigating the process is essential. This is where an experienced brand protection attorney comes in. Having an experienced trademark attorney increases your chances of obtaining a registered trademark. Remember that the trademark registration process can take up to 12-18 months. It is not automatically approved.

Before applying, it is essential to ensure a high chance of obtaining the trademark. Conducting a comprehensive trademark search is vital because not knowing competitors are using the same name or a similar name doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It’s always best to consider hiring a professional to analyze the potential that other companies are using your proposed name. This approach is the most prudent and effective way to ensure your brand is protected.

A lawyer’s job goes beyond just reviewing the USPTO record. They also dive into the Secretary of State Records of all 50 states and various databases that scrutinize names used for URLs, domain names, and social media handles. Once the name is deemed acceptable, the next step is to determine the categories or classes in which the trademark will be protected. After applying, it may take months for a trademark examiner to review the application and decide if there are any potential issues. Protecting a trademark offers security and can become a valuable asset for your business.

Trademark Protection Helps Establish Brand Recognition

Bikini Block’s decision to protect its brand from day one was smart. It ensured they were the sole owner of their brand name, and no other company could use it. This provided a strong foundation for their brand to expand in the future. Business owners need to understand the importance of trademark protection and secure their company name, logo, and other brand assets early in their business. By doing so, they can establish brand recognition, protect their brand from competitors, and build their business on a solid foundation. Bikini Block is a great example of how protecting your brand early on can help your business thrive.

Contact a Florida Trademark & Copyright Registration Lawyer

If you have questions about registering a trademark and need assistance, an experienced Florida trademark & copyright attorney can assist you. We regularly provide clients with help handling trademark registration matters with the USPTO throughout the United States.

Contact Perkins Law today for more information about how we can help your business protect its brand assets.