Trademark or patent on a personal logo?

Should you trademark a personal logo?

  • Yes, absolutely
  • No, that’s the paranoia speaking

0 voters

Hey guys,

I’ve recently updated my personal branding to include a new logo design that I’m pretty excited about. I’m sure most of you are familiar with this feeling, but I have concerns that my design will be ripped off or copied at some point or another.

Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I would like to cover my bases. Is it worth it to register and trademark a personal logo?

For context, I am still in school.

YES – paranoid – see here – Trademark basics | USPTO

Most designers will even argue that it’s better not to work with a logo based around yourself, unless you are a company.

All of the above.

A trademark is to protect commercial interest in something, such as brand equity. Selling a knockoff product with the Apple logo for example.

Why would I want a Benton Humphrey’s logo on my product? Because the shape of the graphic is so neat?

I agree that personal logos on personal websites or portfolios are usually pointless unless you happen to work as a freelancer and use that for collateral and your business name.

For more context, the logo in question is an abstract design (sometimes paired with my name, sometimes not) and is found on my resume, website, and business cards.

But anywho, thanks for the feedback.