When starting a podcast, you’ll want to ensure your podcast name can’t be used by another brand. Therefore, many podcast hosts want to know if you can trademark a podcast name. In this article, we’ll consider this and how you can ensure that you protect your brand.
Can you Trademark a Podcast Name?
Technically, there is protection for podcast names as soon as your first episode is published. Therefore, it is important to not delay publishing your first podcast, because this will automatically protect your name. But at the same time, you should ensure the quality of the episode.
For added protection, many podcast creators complete and submit a trademark application with the USPTO. There is an additional cost for this, and some podcast creators might not want this extra cost.
However, the additional protection allows creators to prevent others from using the name. It doesn’t matter whether they use it in a blog, on social media, YouTube channel, on products, or podcast, creators can send notices to prevent future use and remove current uses of the name.
Checking a Name Isn’t Already Trademarked
As part of the process of naming your podcast, ensure the name hasn’t already been taken by another creator. There are several steps for this. These include:
Step One: Check with the USPTO
If the podcast creator, or the brand owner, has registered their brand with the USPTO, then you can search to ensure the name is currently available.
Step Two: Google Search
Not everyone registers their brand with the USPTO, and if they’re in another territory, then they might register in their own country. To avoid this, you can do a Google search, which can highlight those who are using the potential name.
Step Three: Other Searches
Finally, you want to do other searches. Google is an effective search engine, but not everyone ranks on the platform or has a website. Therefore, you need to do some other searches to ensure that the name you want to use has not been taken.
Do not be alarmed or discouraged if you find a podcast with the same name. Apple and Spotify do not work the same as it does when securing a URL. There is no exclusivity barrier for naming a podcast so you might find one or two with the same name. This makes getting a trademark an even more important step when building a brand around your podcast.
FAQs: Can you Trademark a Podcast Name?
Does a trademark protect your podcast?
Yes, a trademark prevents others from using your name in their branding or products.
Do you need a lawyer to protect your podcast name?
No, you can submit all the documents yourself. And any publication does offer you some protection.
How long does a trademark protect your show?
Trademarks do not expire after a set time. They will continue as long as you continue to use the trademark. You can also register a federal trademark, which can be registered for 10 years, and every 10 years be renewed for an unlimited period.
Final Word: Can you Trade a Podcast Name?
If you’re looking to start a new podcast, you might want to ensure the name is going to be protected from use by other parties. Fortunately, as soon as your first episode is published, you’re protected. But you might want to add additional protection to safeguard your podcast name.
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