Compliance
Trademark
A trademark is a legally protected sign — typically a name or logo — that identifies the source of goods or services. In the United States rights arise from use in commerce and can be strengthened by federal registration with the USPTO, which is separate from registering a company name with a state.
In plain terms: Legal protection for your brand name, which forming a company does not give you.
Why it matters
Founders check a state's business register, find the name free, and assume it is theirs. State registration and trademark rights are different systems: a company name can be available in a state and still infringe an existing federal trademark.
Common misunderstanding
Treating state name availability as brand clearance. Check both before committing to a name.
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