Rearrange Logo License For Free

If you're wondering, "can you trademark something that already exists," the simple answer is "no." Generally speaking, if somebody has used a trademark before you, you can't register the trademark for yourself.

How Much Do You Have To Change a Logo To Avoid Copyright? Essentially, you just need to make a logo that is different enough that people don't see it and instantly think it's stolen from the existing logo. It's said that it can't have a "substantial similarity" to the existing logo.

The 20 Percent Rule If you're interested in trademarks and design, you may have heard that you only need to alter a logo by about 20 to 25 percent in order to claim it as your own. It can be inspired by a logo that already exists and is in use as long as it differs enough that it appears to be its own design.

If you do not register your trademark, you will have legal rights only within the geographic areas where you operate. This means you may be able to stop a subsequent user of the mark, even if it is a bigger company, from using the mark in your geographic area only.

You can modify the trademark you're using on your products and services, but you cannot modify an existing registration, so unless you register your newly modified trademark, it will not have the same scope of protection as a prior, unmodified, registered trademark.

As a matter of fact, it is not possible to add any extra elements (written or visual) to a pending or registered trademark. If you decide to change your brand logo by adding an additional element, it is advisable to submit a new application with the new version of the mark that is currently in use.

How Do I Amend a Trademark Registration? If your trademark registration is not the subject of a cancellation proceeding, then you can amend your trademark registration by filing a Section 7 Request for Amendment with the USPTO. The Section 7 is an online form that is available on the USPTO's website.