Trademark Tips for Writers with Martha Pardo

Protect your author brand! Join Erica Birtles as she talks to trademark attorney Martha Pardo. Learn why trademarking is crucial for authors, how it differs from copyright, and the common mistakes to avoid. Discover the benefits of trademarking, including brand protection and licensing opportunities. Get practical tips on the process, from clearance searches to filing applications.

 

Say Hello to Martha! 

Martha A. Pardo is an attorney with almost two decades of experience. After spending most of her career helping underserved populations preserve their legal rights in housing, consumer and other areas, she established MAP Law Firm, PLLC to help small business owners protect their brands and investments through trademark services. 

 

Visit the MAP Law Firm website: https://www.maplawfirm.com

 

Takeaways

• Trademarking is important for authors to protect their unique identifiers, such as book titles and logos.
• Common mistakes authors make when trademarking include choosing generic or descriptive names.
• Trademarking provides brand legitimacy and protection against infringement.
• The process of trademarking involves conducting a clearance search, filing an application, and providing proof of use. Ebooks can be trademarked, especially if they are part of a series.
• Authors can trademark their series and use it to build brand recognition and credibility.
• Trademarking offers broader and easier-to-prove protections than not registering.
• Authors should consider trademarking to protect their business and assess the risk involved.
• Licensing trademarks can be a way for authors to generate additional income.
• Resources and tools like the USPTO and search functions can help authors navigate the trademarking process.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Recommendation

02:21 Martha's Background and Journey to Trademarking

04:12 Explanation of Trademarks and Differences from Copyrights

06:41 The Importance of Trademarking for Authors

07:08 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trademarking

09:49 Why Fiction Authors Should Consider Trademarking

13:07 Trademarking Fictional Worlds and Characters

14:54 The Process of Trademarking for Authors

20:41 Cost and Documentation for Trademarking

25:52 Introduction and Discussion of Trademarking Ebooks

27:07 Trademarking Series and Other Opportunities

29:01 Assessing the Risk and Importance of Trademarking

31:38 Licensing Trademarks and Generating Income

33:59 Navigating the Trademarking Process and Resources

44:19 Final Advice for Authors on Trademarking